The relationship between seizure frequency, seizure type and quality of life: Findings from three European countries

Abstract 

Understanding the relationship between seizure frequency, seizure type and scores obtained from quality of life (QOL) measures is important if the incorporation of QOL measures into epilepsy clinical trials is to become standard practice. There is also a need to consider cross-cultural differences obtained from QOL measures, particularly in the context of multicentre international trials. In this study, 300 patients recruited from UK, Germany and France completed the Functional Status Questionnaire (FSQ); information about patients' clinical and demographic status was also collected. Results from the study highlighted that seizure type and seizure frequency, as well as country of origin, were significant predictors of scores on the FSQ. It is important to measure the effect of seizure type, not just seizure frequency, on QOL when testing for differences between antiepileptic therapies in the context of clinical trials.

Keywords:  Quality of life, Functional Status Questionnaire, Epilepsy, Cross-cultural differences