Quality of life of patients with epilepsy (Hungarian survey)

We assessed the quality of life (QOL) of patients with epilepsy using the Q uality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE-31). As the first step we compa red our results with the data from an American survey in order to validate the test in Hungary. The results show that the Hungarian values were lower but that they followed the same trends as the American data. There was only one controversial result in the question-group of the 'the effects of trea tment', which could be explained by the differences in habits and conventio ns, opportunities and expectations between Hungarian and American epileptic patients. We found significant differences in many aspects of quality of l ife with respect to (a) gender (general quality of life, seizure worry), (b ) pharmacological treatment form (cognitive functions, medication effects, total score and social and role functioning) and (c) economic activity of p atients (cognitive functions, emotional well-being, energy/fatigue, medicat ion effects, overall quality of life, overall scores, seizure worry, social and role functioning). We have tried to explain the differences found by t aking either the characteristics of epilepsy or the social background of th e epileptic patient into consideration. Based on previous knowledge we have tried to define the situations where the assessment of quality of life for people with epilepsy, may be beneficial to their core. (C) 2001 BEA Tradin g Ltd.