Social,familial,and disease-specific burdens on women with epilepsy

The Berlin longitudinal study on teratogenic effects of maternal epilepsy w as conducted on children in 1976. Approximately 18 years later, 103 of thes e children's mothers were reassessed with regard to somatic, psychological and social well-being or impairment. The families with previously diagnosed epileptic mothers (n=59) and control families (n=44) did not statistically differ in rates of family separation,divorce,or unemployment of the partne rs. There were also no significant differences in the mothers' current psyc hological quality-of-life status (SF-36) or their beliefs on internal or ex ternal disease control (FKK). There were, however, group differences in mor e closely illness-related aspects. In spite of an appreciable remission rat e of 28% over the past 17 years, significantly more mothers in the epilepsy group still reported physical infirmities (GBB), reduced body-related qual ity of life (SF-36), and more family stress events (FAI). Their self-esteem and competence-related beliefs (FSKN) were significantly lower. They also tended to have a lower level of education or professional training,and some had never been employed. When measuring quality of life,severity of seizur e (NHS3) and early epilepsy onset are the major risk factors, regardless of whether one uses epilepsy-specific (QOLIE-10) or general quality-of-life q uestionnaires (SF-36).