Publication Details
Xu, Y.,
Neuen, D. R.,
Glozier, N.,
Nikpour, A.,
Somerville, E.,
Bleasel, A.,
Ireland, C.,
Anderson, C. S.,
&
Hackett, M. L.
(2019).
Disability patterns over the first year after a diagnosis of epilepsy.
Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery, 179, 60-65.
Abstract
Objective: To determine the patterns and predictors of disability over the first 12 months after a diagnosis of epilepsy.
Patients and methods: The Sydney Epilepsy Incidence Study to Measure Illness Consequences (SEISMIC) was a prospective, multicenter, community-based study of people with newly diagnosed epilepsy in Sydney, Australia. Disability was assessed using the World Health Organization’s, Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) 2.0 12-item version, at baseline (i.e. within 28 days of diagnosis) and 12 months post-diagnosis. Demographic, socioeconomic, clinical and epilepsy-related data, obtained through structured interviews, were entered into multivariable linear regression and shift analysis to determine predictors of greater disability.
Results: Of 259 adults (≥18 years), 190 (73%) had complete WHODAS at baseline (mean ± SD scores 4 ± 6) and follow-up (4 ± 8). After adjustment for age, sex and co-morbidity, greater overall disability at 12 months was associated with lower education (P=0.05), economic hardship (P=0.004), multiple antiepileptic medications (P=0.02) and greater disability (P < 0.001) at the time of diagnosis; these variables explained 38.3% of the variance. Among the 12 WHODAS items, “being emotionally affected by health problems” was the most frequent disability problem identified at both time points (all P < 0.0001). The proportion of participants without problems in that domain improved over 12 months (from 24% to 50%, P < 0.0001), whereas the other 11 items remained relatively stable. Independent baseline predictors of a worse emotional outcome at12months were severe/extreme emotional distress (odds ratio [OR] 4.52, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.67–12.24), economic hardship (OR 2.30, 95% CI 1.24–4.25) and perceived stigma (OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.03–3.93).
Conclusion: Most people report problems with emotional health after a diagnosis of epilepsy but many recover over the next 12 months. Services addressing the social and psychological impact of diagnosis may be needed to improve outcome.
Keywords
epilepsy, risk factors, functioning and disability, WHODAS, emotional, psychosocial disability
