<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><sec id="j_joepi-2016-0009_s_001"><h3>Background</h3><p>Approximately 26% of the burden of neurologic diseases is due to epilepsy. Its negative impact reflects mainly on people with epilepsy (PWE) themselves.</p></sec><sec id="j_joepi-2016-0009_s_002"><h3>Aims</h3><p>To highlight the negative impacts of epilepsy on the lives of PEW’s so as to identify a realistic approach to their individual needs.</p></sec><sec id="j_joepi-2016-0009_s_003"><h3>Methods</h3><p>For recently published papers PubMed and MEDLINE databases were used. In addition relevant references mentioned in the searched articles were also considered.</p></sec><sec id="j_joepi-2016-0009_s_004"><h3>Review and discussion</h3><p>Generalized tonic-clonic seizures and refractory epilepsy are the most important factors burdening PWE’s, resulting in increased injuries and mortality, including Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP). The need of chronic intake of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and of epilepsy surgery are also important with regards to potential for side effects, drug interactions, and different surgery risks. PWE harbour more medical and psychiatric comorbidities than the general population and results in a decreased quality of life. Decreased self-esteem and major stigma are also frequent, linked to social, economic and personal negative consequences.</p><p>Age also plays a role, younger people being more stigmatized given the interdiction to drive or difficulty in getting a job. In the elderly, seizures may have an impact on mental status, mood and sleep. Gender may also contribute, particularly involving women in childbearing age, linked to the fear or depression due to the possibility of AED-induced fertility disturbances, foetal malformations, or breast feeding side-effects.</p></sec><sec><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>The burden that PWE face must be considered by all people involved in the management of their epilepsy. The causes may be multifactorial, all interconnected and each one influencing the others.</p></sec></abstract>

BackgroundApproximately 26% of the burden of neurologic diseases is due to epilepsy. Its negative impact reflects mainly on people with epilepsy (PWE) themselves.AimsTo highlight the negative impacts of epilepsy on the lives of PEW’s so as to identify a realistic approach to their individual needs.MethodsFor recently published papers PubMed and MEDLINE databases were used. In addition relevant references mentioned in the searched articles were also considered.Review and discussionGeneralized tonic-clonic seizures and refractory epilepsy are the most important factors burdening PWE’s, resulting in increased injuries and mortality, including Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP). The need of chronic intake of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and of epilepsy surgery are also important with regards to potential for side effects, drug interactions, and different surgery risks. PWE harbour more medical and psychiatric comorbidities than the general population and results in a decreased quality of life. Decreased self-esteem and major stigma are also frequent, linked to social, economic and personal negative consequences.Age also plays a role, younger people being more stigmatized given the interdiction to drive or difficulty in getting a job. In the elderly, seizures may have an impact on mental status, mood and sleep. Gender may also contribute, particularly involving women in childbearing age, linked to the fear or depression due to the possibility of AED-induced fertility disturbances, foetal malformations, or breast feeding side-effects.ConclusionsThe burden that PWE face must be considered by all people involved in the management of their epilepsy. The causes may be multifactorial, all interconnected and each one influencing the others.

The epileptic multifactorial patient’s burden. Review of the topic

Journal of Epileptology

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

{"article-title":"The epileptic multifactorial patient\u2019s burden. Review of the topic"}

BackgroundApproximately 26% of the burden of neurologic diseases is due to epilepsy. Its negative impact reflects mainly on people with epilepsy (PWE)...

The epileptic multifactorial patient’s burden. Review of the topic

Published Online: Sep 30, 2016

Page range: 167 - 172

Received: Aug 08, 2016

Accepted: Sep 23, 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21307/joepi-2016-0009

Keywords
comorbidity, epilepsy, seizures, quality of life, social stigma

© 2016 José Pimentel et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

The epileptic multifactorial patient’s burden. Review of the topic

Published Online: Sep 30, 2016

Page range: 167 - 172

Received: Aug 08, 2016

Accepted: Sep 23, 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21307/joepi-2016-0009

Keywordscomorbidity, epilepsy, seizures, quality of life, social stigma

© 2016 José Pimentel et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
comorbidity, epilepsy, seizures, quality of life, social stigma