Association of Quality of Life with Anti-Seizure Medication Adherence and Beliefs in Patients with Epilepsy
Hajar Alreefi1, Abdullah Kokandi1, Sirin AlKadi2, Abdullah Alsuhaibani3, Sasha Aleksander Dionisio1
1King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, 2King Faisal specialist hospital and research center, Riyadh, 3King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center
Objective:
To evaluate the association between anti-seizure medication (ASM) adherence, ASM beliefs and the quality of life (QoL) in epilepsy patients in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Background:
The outcomes of epilepsy rely heavily on anti-seizure medication (ASM) compliance and adherence. Reported non-adherence varies between 26% and 79% among patients with epilepsy (PwE). Non-adherence to ASM therapy is a crucial factor in the mortality rates and failures of treatment in epilepsy.
Design/Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted at an outpatient Epilepsy Clinic of a tertiary government hospital in Saudi Arabia. Between August and December 2023, 52 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of epilepsy and receiving oral ASM therapy were identified. A self-administrated structured questionnaire containing 46 questions, using the tools (QOLIE-31, MARS-5 and BMQ-Specific) was conducted. Data analysis used frequencies, means and paired t-test to test for association between adherence and refractory seizure.
Results:
The questionnaire was answered by 60% males, and 40% females. 53% of which are considered refractory to ASM. The median duration since time of diagnosis with epilepsy was 11-15 years. QoL was 61% and 52% in non-refractory and refractory epilepsy, respectively. There was no statistical difference between refractory and non-refractory participants in relation to medication adherence (P >0.05). There were more concerns and lower belief in the necessity of ASM in the non-refractory group being 47%, in comparison to 42% in the refractory group (P >0.05). Few cases showed very low adherence which correlated with low quality of life (P >0.05).
Conclusions:
Quality of life was higher in non-refractory epilepsy patients. Although, the non-refractory group showed lower beliefs in ASM. There was no difference between refractory and non-refractory epilepsy in terms of adherence to ASM. Few patients showed poor adherence and lower QoL. Overall, we recommend enhancing and emphasizing education on anti-seizure medications for epilepsy patients to improve their QoL and comprehensive care.
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