THE PERSONAL IMPACT OF SEIZURES - CORRELATIONS WITH SEIZURE FREQUENCY, EMPLOYMENT, COST OF MEDICAL-CARE, AND SATISFACTION WITH PHYSICIAN CARE

We explored perceptions of the impact of seizures with a questionnaire survey of the Epilepsy Association of Massachusetts membership. Overa ll, 65% of the 150 respondents were adversely affected by seizures. Re spondents with more than one seizure per week were more often adversel y impacted by seizures than those with lower seizure frequencies (p = 0.03), although half of those with one seizure or less per year were a lso adversely affected. The unemployment rate was six times the state average, and unemployed respondents were two times more likely to feel greatly affected by seizures than employed subjects (p = 0.007), as w ere subjects who spent over $300 a year on antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) compared with those who spent less (p = 0.02). Persons who noted that seizures greatly affected their lives were less satisfied with their m edical care than those who were not affected by seizures (p = 0.007). A general question about major problems because of epilepsy was not as sensitive a probe as detailed questions about problems in specific ar eas. Health care providers should examine their patients' perceptions in detail of how epilepsy affects their lives, especially patients who have frequent seizures, are unemployed, have annual AED expenses over $300, or express dissatisfaction with their care.