Health-related quality of life after epilepsy surgery: A prospective, controlled follow-up on the Iranian population

Abstract

Quality of life is affected by factors such as regional differences in access to treatment choices, and rehabilitation. This study aims to assess the result of epilepsy surgery and its impact on QoL in Iran. The data for 60 patients who underwent epilepsy surgery in Loghman-Hakim hospital between 2003 to 2017 were analyzed prospectively through clinical observation. Clinical variables of interest and the WHOQOL-BREF scale to assess QoL were applied. Scores of operated patients were compared to their preoperative scores as well as epileptic patients controlled with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and healthy individuals. The mean age of surgery group patients was 33.78 (34 male; 26 female). Twenty seven patients underwent temporal mesial lobectomy, 20 anterior callosotomy, and 13 neocortical resections. The average QoL score in healthy group was 72.48, in AEDs controls was 56.16, and in operated patients was 65.61. In addition, analysis showed a significant increase in postoperative QoL of the surgical group compared to the AEDs controls. Epilepsy surgery could be the best approach in patients suffering from drug-resistant epilepsy even in developing countries, which can result in seizure relief and a reduction in the frequency of disabling seizures.

Clinical outcome of selective amygdalectomy in a series of patients with resistant temporal lobe epilepsy

“…With a rate of 5% in Iran, the prevalence is even higher in developing countries. [ 27 ] Although more than 30 antiepileptic medications are available, nearly one-third of epileptic patients continue to have seizures while using two or more anti-seizure medications, a condition known as intractable or refractory epilepsy. [ 23 ] Surgery is considered the primary therapeutic approach in patients who have refractory epilepsy, often done to resect the minimal area of the cortex, which triggers seizures, known as the epileptogenic zone.…”

“…[ 23 ] Surgery is considered the primary therapeutic approach in patients who have refractory epilepsy, often done to resect the minimal area of the cortex, which triggers seizures, known as the epileptogenic zone. [ 16 , 27 ] Among different types of epilepsy, temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the highest target for neurosurgery. The International League Against Epilepsy defines two main subtypes of TLE; one is mesiobasal involving the amygdala and hippocampus, sometimes known as mesial TLE (MTLE), and the other is lateral, which incorporates the neocortex.…”

Epilepsy Research in Mali: A Pilot Pharmacokinetics Study on First-Line Antiepileptic Drug Treatment

“…Poor follow-up has been reported in a large multinational study in Europe in which approximately 50% of the people living with epilepsy had not seen their specialist in the year preceding the survey. 25 …”

Postoperative Evaluation of the Quality of Life, Depression, and Anxiety of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Cohort: A Single Institute Experience in Indonesia

“…Quality of life is defined as "a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity" (7). Besides seizure control, QoL should be considered as an equally important outcome for epilepsy surgery service providers (8). Seizure-associated accidents, co-existing physical constraints, lower education levels, unemployment, and psychological issues such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, aggression, and sexual dysfunction have been associated with lower QoL in PwE cohorts (9,10).…”

“…Seizure-associated accidents, co-existing physical constraints, lower education levels, unemployment, and psychological issues such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, aggression, and sexual dysfunction have been associated with lower QoL in PwE cohorts (9,10). Surgery has been reported to improve QoL in PwE compared to anti-epileptic drugs (8,11). This study aimed to observe the QoL of PwE who underwent surgery in our epilepsy surgical center in Indonesia by selfreporting assessments.…”