Investigating quality of life in adults with epilepsy and psychogenic non epileptic seizures

Tsivos, Demitra V. (2021) Investigating quality of life in adults with epilepsy and psychogenic non epileptic seizures. D Clin Psy thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Objective
This longitudinal study examined QOL in individuals with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) and epilepsy and investigated factors associated with QOL and change in QOL from admission to discharge at a specialist epilepsy centre.

Methods
Fifty-five patients with epilepsy and 23 patients with PNES who attended the William Quarrier Scottish Epilepsy Centre (SEC) between March 1st 2019 and March 31st 2020 were included. Participants completed self-report measures in the week prior to or on the day of their admission to the SEC and again on the day of discharge.

Results
There was no significant difference between QOL scores in the PNES and epilepsy groups. Psychological distress at admission was found to be a significant predictor of QOL scores (at admission). In the epilepsy group, psychological distress accounted for 37.1% of the variance in QOLIE-31 admission scores in model one (p<.0001). Sleep Condition Indicator scores (SCI) (p=.001) and cognition scores as measured by the EpiTrack cognitive assessment (p=.167) accounted for a further 16.9% of the variance (p=.003) in model two. EpiTrack scores did not contribute significantly to the variance associated with QOLIE-31 scores. In the PNES group psychological distress accounted for 30.5% of the variance in QOLIE-31 admission scores in model one (p=.014). SCI (p=.605) and EpiTrack scores (p=.003) accounted for a further 31.5% of the variance in model two (p=.011). SCI scores did not contribute significantly to the variance associated with QOLIE-31.

QOL was improved at discharge in the PNES group (t(17) = -4.187; p=0.001), psychological distress change scores accounted for 56.6% of the variance in QOLIE-31 change scores in model one (p <.0001). QOL was also improved at discharge in the epilepsy group (t(35) = -5.875, P=0.001), psychological distress change scores accounted for 59.4% of the variance in QOLIE-31 change scores in model one. In model two of both groups, the SCI scores and EpiTrack scores did not contribute to the variance associated with QOL change scores.

Conclusion
Psychological distress is a good predictor of QOL in both patient groups. Assessment and management of anxiety and depression symptoms in both groups may enhance QOL. SCI scores made a significant contribution to the variance in QOL in the epilepsy group and EpiTrack Scores made a significant contribution to the QOL scores in the PNES group. Future research may examine the effect of sleep strategies on QOL scores and study the effect of change in cognitive scores following AED reduction on QOL.

• Item Type: Thesis (D Clin Psy)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: PNES, psychogenic non epileptic seizure, epilepsy, quality of life.
• Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
• Colleges/Schools: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Supervisor's Name: McMillan, Professor Thomas
• Date of Award: 2021
• Depositing User: Dr Demitra Tsivos
• Unique ID: glathesis:2021-82176
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 13 May 2021 15:33
• Last Modified: 20 Jan 2023 16:11
• Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.82176
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/82176