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Epileptic patients suffer from prejudice and limitations that can compromise their social integration, and hence present a greater incidence of psychiatric co-morbidities when compared to the general population and to individuals with other chronic diseases [1][2][3] .It is known that epilepsy has a great impact on the quality of life (QoL) [4][5][6] . However, how the socio-demographic variables, clinical aspects of epilepsy and the psychiatric co-morbidities act on the QoL has still not been completely elucidated, nor which specific domains would be more involved 5,7-10 .The performance of epileptic individuals is inferior in QoL evaluations and diverges in various aspects from that of individuals with other chronic diseases 5,11 or from that of the general population 6,7,12 .Among specific instruments for epilepsy, the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE-31) 13 is one of the most used instruments, and was validated in 2007 for use in the Brazilian population 14 .The QoL scales possess a subjective construct and, if evaluated judiciously, can provide contributions for medical orientation and can influence health practices and policies.Study carried out at Faculdade de Medicina, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas (PUC-Campinas), Campinas SP, Brazil. ABSTRACTObjective: To study socio-demographic and clinical aspects, as well as psychiatric co-morbidity that influence the quality of life of adult epileptic patients. Methods: One hundred and thirty-two individuals diagnosed with epilepsy were evaluated from neurological/clinical and psychiatric points of view and by the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE-31). Predictive factors for the QOLIE-31 scores were studied. Results: The regression analyses indicated the existence of psychiatric co-morbidity (total score, seizure worry, emotional well-being, energy/fatigue, social function and cognitive function) and a greater seizure frequency (total score, cognitive function and energy/fatigue) as predictive factors for lower scores in the total QOLIE-31 score and in various dimensions. Abnormalities in the neurological exam and polytherapy with anti-epileptic drugs were negative factors limited to one of the dimensions cognitive function and social function, respectively. Conclusion: The presence of psychiatric co-morbidity and a greater seizure frequency were the main factors influencing the quality of life in epileptic patients as evaluated by QOLIE-31.Key words: epilepsy, epileptic syndrome, quality of life. RESUMOObjetivo: Estudar os aspectos sociodemográficos, clínicos e comorbidades psiquiátricas que influenciam a qualidade de vida de pacientes adultos com epilepsia. Métodos: Cento e trinta e dois indivíduos com diagnóstico de epilepsia foram avaliados do ponto de vista clínico-neurológico e psiquiátrico e pelo Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE-31). Foram estudados os fatores preditores dos escores do QOLIE-31. Resultados: As análises de regressão indicaram a existência de comorbidade psiquiátrica (escore total, crises epilé...

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak impacted the lives of worldwide people with epilepsy (PWE) in various aspects, particularly in those countries most significantly affected by this pandemic, such as Brazil. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of depressive symptoms in PWE and their correlation with epilepsy features and access to treatment. Methods: PWE were invited to answer a cross-sectional online-based survey to assess and rate depressive symptoms using the NDDI-E during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic and its relation to multiple lifestyles epilepsy clinical aspects. Results: A total of 490 PWE were recruited. The prevalence of depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic was 35.3% (cutoff score > 15 on NDDI-E). The factors associated with higher NDDI-E scores were: female sex, increased seizure frequency, barriers to access to their treating physician and antiseizure medication, and unemployment. Regarding the pandemic impact on PWE healthcare, 29.2% reported restricted access to their medication, 46.1% barriers to access their physicians, 94.2% had their consultations canceled due to the pandemic, and 28.4% had seizure worsening in this period. Conclusion:The COVID-19 pandemic affected PWE access to the healthcare system. Depressive symptoms were more severe in patients with higher seizure frequency who had difficulties obtaining proper medical care. The COVID-19 pandemic may impact the healthcare and mental wellbeing of patients with chronic diseases such as epilepsy. Nevertheless, prospective studies on epilepsy and COVID-19 are still lacking.

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