Quality of life for patients with epilepsy in Russia
https://doi.org/10.17749/2077-8333/epi.par.con.2025.225
Abstract
Background. Epilepsy poses a prominent social and economic burden on both patients and society as a whole. The importance of the psychosocial effects of epilepsy has been increasingly recognized that accounts for a need to quantify the quality of life (QoL) of such patients to reveal areas requiring improvement and to justify a reason to invest in social safety net programs.
Objective: To identify factors associated with QoL of patients with epilepsy, analyze an impact of QoL on direct medical costs to support health policy and financing decision-making processes.
Material and methods. The total of 384 adult patients participated in the study, each of them filled in the Russified QOLIE-9 version. The influence of different factors on QoL, and QoL on direct epilepsy-related medical expenses determined on the basis of the results of copying outpatient records, was evaluated. Correlation and regression analysis methods were applied to assess study data.
Results. Correlation analysis demonstrated statistically significant (p<0.05) factors affecting QoL such as place of observation, patient's age, length of history, presence of disability group, education level, labor status, etiology of the disease, seizure type and frequency. While assessing an association between the amount of direct medical expenses and QOLIE-9 results, a moderately close direct relationship was established.
Conclusion. QoL of patients with epilepsy declines with age, and the costs related to the disease increase regardless of the disease onset age. Comorbid, metabolic and structural etiologies of the disease, illiteracy, unemployment, hospital stay and generalized seizure type are significantly associated with lower QoL. Future research should focus on a comprehensively assessed QoL of patients with epilepsy, including medical and social aspects to develop and implement effective programs aimed at reducing stigma and improving access to medical and medication care.
About the Authors
A. S. Romanov
Altai State Medical University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Anton S. Romanov
Scopus Author ID: 58532713600
40 Lenin Ave., Barnaul 656038
E. F. Sharakhova
Altai State Medical University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Elena F. Sharakhova, Dr. Sci. Pharm., Prof.
40 Lenin Ave., Barnaul 656038
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For citations:
Romanov A.S., Sharakhova E.F. Quality of life for patients with epilepsy in Russia. Epilepsy and paroxysmal conditions. 2025;17(3):260-270. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.17749/2077-8333/epi.par.con.2025.225
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