A Cross-sectional Study to Explore the Quality of Life amongst People Living with Epilepsy Attending a Tertiary Care Centre in Tezpur, Assam, India
Rinki GhoshAbstract
Background:
Epilepsy is a chronic, non-communicable neurological disorder affecting people of all ages. This gap is influenced by social and psychological factors such as anxiety, depression and stigma, which impair self-management and quality of life (QoL).
Objective:
The study aimed to assess the QoL amongst individuals living with epilepsy and to associate epilepsy with certain sociodemographic variables.
Methods:
A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional research design was adopted. The study was conducted in a tertiary care institution in Tezpur, Assam. A total of 60 individuals with epilepsy were selected through non-probability, convenience sampling, based on the eligibility criteria. Data were collected using a structured socio-demographic and clinical pro forma, as well as the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory-31P (QOLIE-31P) scale. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee of LGBRIMH, and permission was granted by the concerned authority before data collection.
Results:
The total mean QOL score was 64.55 ± 8.53, indicating a moderate QoL amongst participants. The highest mean was in cognitive functioning (23.97 ± 3.61), followed by social functioning (13.40 ± 2.62), emotional well-being (11.03 ± 2.33), seizure worry (4.35 ± 1.56) and energy/fatigue (4.77 ± 1.21), while medication effects had the lowest score (1.94 ± 0.44). Sociodemographic variables such as age and religion had a statistically significant association with QoL.
Conclusion:
The study highlights that epilepsy affects multiple domains of life, with the greatest impact observed in seizure worry and medication effects. Despite ongoing medical challenges, many individuals maintain satisfactory cognitive and social functioning.