Comparison of the health-related quality of life between epileptic patients with partial and generalized seizure

BACKGROUND Epilepsy is defined as recurrent unprovoked febrile seizures, which cause disability in patients. This study aims to assess the health-related quality-of-life (QOL) in epileptic patients in Fars Province, southern Iran. METHODS One-hundred epileptic patients, above 18 years, referred to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences affiliated clinics, were included. The QOL of patients with generalized and partial seizure were assessed using the Iranian valid and reliable Sf-36 questionnaire. Patients' socio-demographic and their disease features were also compared with each other using a questionnaire. RESULTS In partial epilepsy group (n = 24), the married patients in social functioning (SF) aspect of QOL (64.42 ± 14.29) (P = 0.024), the patients on antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) monotherapy in both physical functioning (PF) (88.75 ± 11.57) (P = 0.030) and SF (75.00 ± 6.68) (P = 0.022) aspects, the employed patients in PF aspect of QOL (P = 0.023) (91.87 ± 8.83) and those with high income in mental health aspect of QOL (P = 0.036 and correlation coefficient = 0.413) got better scores compared with the partial epileptic patients who were single, on polytherapy, unemployed and had low to moderate income. In generalized epilepsy group (n = 76), patients on AEDs monotherapy in PF aspect of QOL (P = 0.025) (78.33 ± 24.36) and employed patients in vitality aspect (P = 0.023) (57.00 ± 28.25) had better scores. Data were analyzed using SPSS for windows. CONCLUSION Epilepsy can affect patient's life in a number of ways such as their lives, marriage, occupation, and education. We can encourage patients to find a partner, continue higher education and try to find a job.