6 PHARMACOECONOMICS QOL in epilepsy: room for improvement The quality of life (QOL) of many patients with epilepsy is poor, and could be improved by enhancing the safety and efficacy of anticonvulsant agents, as well as reducing the disability associated with this condition, say researchers in the UK and the US. Their questionnaire survey involved 5211 patients with epilepsy from 15 European countries. The patients were aged 16 years (median 35 years) and had had epilepsy for a median of 16 years. 96% of patients were receiving 1 anticonvulsant: of these, the majority were receiving carbamazepine (53%), valproic acid (33%), phenytoin (25%) or phenobarbital (14%). Drug therapy problematic 22% of respondents reported that their epilepsy was not controlled adequately, and 44% of those receiving anticonvulsant medication reported having switched medication at least once in the past year for that reason. 88% of respondents reported 1 anticonvulsant-related adverse effect. The most commonly reported effects were tiredness (58% of respondents), memory problems (50%), difficulty concentrating (48%), sleepiness (45%), difficulty in thinking clearly (40%), and nervousness or agitation (36%). Detrimental impact on QOL ... Nearly half of all respondents reported that they worried 'a lot' or 'some' about the possible adverse effects of their medication (44%) and about their epilepsy (48%). In addition, large proportions of respondents felt that epilepsy and its treatment substantially affected their plans and ambitions for the future (47%), their feelings about themselves (40%), their social life (41 %), and their ability to work and their standard of living (36%). 23% of respondents reported that they were not currently employed because of their medical condition. The health status of UK study respondents was poorer than that of the general UK population, according to the results of the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36). That is, respondents scored lower on every domain (apart from physical role limitations, energy/vitality, and general health perceptions), than people in the general population, with and without any long-term illness . . . . especially in severe epilepsy Patients with frequent seizures, and those with mixed seizures, were more likely to feel that epilepsy affected the various aspects of daily life 'a lot' or 'some'. Patients with severe epilepsy also achieved lower mean scores on every SF-36 domain, compared with other patients. Baker GA. Jacoby A. Buck D. Stalgis C. Monnet D. Quality of life of people with epilepsy: a European study. Epilepsia 38: 353·362. Mar 1997 ""2J71J Inpharma· 26 Apr 1997 No. 1084 1173-8324/97/1084·00061$01.00° Adl. International LimItecl1997. All right. reserved

QOL in epilepsy: room for improvement

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6 PHARMACOECONOMICS QOL in epilepsy: room for improvement

The quality of life (QOL) of many patients with epilepsy is poor, and could be improved by enhancing the safety and efficacy of anticonvulsant agents, as well as reducing the disability associated with this condition, say researchers in the UK and the US.

Their questionnaire survey involved 5211 patients with epilepsy from 15 European countries. The patients were aged ~ 16 years (median 35 years) and had had epilepsy for a median of 16 years. 96% of patients were receiving ~ 1 anticonvulsant: of these, the majority were receiving carbamazepine (53%), valproic acid (33%), phenytoin (25%) or phenobarbital (14%).

Drug therapy problematic 22% of respondents reported that their epilepsy

was not controlled adequately, and 44% of those receiving anticonvulsant medication reported having switched medication at least once in the past year for that reason.

88% of respondents reported ~ 1 anticonvulsant-related adverse effect. The most commonly reported effects were tiredness (58% of respondents), memory problems (50%), difficulty concentrating (48%), sleepiness (45%), difficulty in thinking clearly (40%), and nervousness or agitation (36%).

Detrimental impact on QOL ... Nearly half of all respondents reported that they

worried 'a lot' or 'some' about the possible adverse effects of their medication (44%) and about their epilepsy (48%). In addition, large proportions of respondents felt that epilepsy and its treatment substantially affected their plans and ambitions for the future (47%), their feelings about themselves (40%), their social life (41 %), and their ability to work and their standard of living (36%). 23% of respondents reported that they were not currently employed because of their medical condition.

The health status of UK study respondents was poorer than that of the general UK population, according to the results of the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36). That is, respondents scored lower on every domain (apart from physical role limitations, energy/vitality, and general health perceptions), than people in the general population, with and without any long-term illness .

. . . especially in severe epilepsy Patients with frequent seizures, and those with

mixed seizures, were more likely to feel that epilepsy affected the various aspects of daily life 'a lot' or 'some'. Patients with severe epilepsy also achieved lower mean scores on every SF-36 domain, compared with other patients. Baker GA. Jacoby A. Buck D. Stalgis C. Monnet D. Quality of life of people with epilepsy: a European study. Epilepsia 38: 353·362. Mar 1997 ""2J71J

Inpharma· 26 Apr 1997 No. 1084 1173-8324/97/1084·00061$01.00° Adl. International LimItecl1997. All right. reserved