Comparison of Quality of Life in Patients with Epilepsy Taking Zonisamide or Topiramate: Before and After Treatment

J Korean Neurol Assoc > Volume 29(3); 2011 > Article

Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 2011;29(3): 172-176.

Zonisamide 혹은 Topiramate를 사용한 뇌전증 환자에서 항뇌전증제 투약 전후 삶의 질 비교

홍형기, 김지언 이장준a 이세진b 박성파c 이상도d

대구가톨릭대학교 의과대학 신경과학교실, 대구파티마병원 신경과a, 영남대학교 의과대학 신경과학교실b, 경북대학교 의학전문대학원 신경과학교실c, 계명대학교 의과대학 신경과학교실d

Comparison of Quality of Life in Patients with Epilepsy Taking Zonisamide or Topiramate: Before and After Treatment

Hyung Ki Hong

Department of Neurology, Catholic University of Daegu School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea Department of Neurologya, Fatima Hospital, Daegu, Korea Department of Neurologyb, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, KoreaDepartment of Neurologyc, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, KoreaDepartment of Neurologyd, Neurology and Epilepsy Center, Keimyung University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea

Abstract

Background: Patients with epilepsy experience impairments in their quality of life (QOL). The objective of this study was to determine the influences of clinical factors on QOL and to compare QOL before and after antiepileptic drug (AED) treatment.
Methods: A cohort of 79 patients with epilepsy (43 male and 36 female) was recruited for this prospective study. The Quality of Life in Epilepsy (QOLIE)-31 survey was applied to evaluate QOL. The QOLIE-31 questionnaire was completed by the subjects before and 24 weeks after AED monotherapy (zonisamide or topiramate). The relationships of demographic, social, and clinical factors with QOL were evaluated.
Results: There was a negative correlation between seizure frequency and QOL in patients with epilepsy (p<0.05). The scores of patients without adverse effect were significantly higher for the seizure worry item of the QOLIE-31 questionnaire at 24 weeks compared to baseline (p<0.05). No other significant differences were found for any of the other QOLIE-31 items.
Conclusions: Age, sex, seizure frequency, AED treatment, and AED adverse effects were significant clinical factors affecting QOL in patients with epilepsy. It is suggested that the physician should recognize these factors and manage them appropriately to improve the QOL of patients with epilepsy. KeyWords:Quality of life, Epilepsy, QOLIE-31, Antiepileptic drug