Pharmacotherapeutic adherence and quality of life in paediatric outpatients with epilepsy

The aim of this study was to obtain data about pharmacotherapeutic adherence, quality of life and its relations in paediatric outpatients.

The present survey was conducted at the Outpatient Department of Paediatric Neurology in Nitra. QOLIE-AD-48 questionnaire was used to assess quality of life and pharmacotherapeutic adherence prospectively. Ninety five patients met the inclusion criteria. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University in Bratislava.

Questionnaires were returned by 74 (77.9%) paediatric patients. The mean quality of life score was 75.2. The quality of life score was lower in children who had higher seizure frequency, were medicated by polytherapy, who experienced adverse effects, with lower age during first seizure, with stigma, and also in those who experienced non-adherence. Adherence was poor in 15 (20.3%) patients. Non-adherence was significantly more frequent in patients 14-18 years old, in those with insufficient seizure control, in those with adverse effects, and also in patients with lower quality of life (p<0.05).

Non-adherence with medication was detected in practically 30% of our adolescents. Therefore, assessing medication adherence and counseling patients about it should be important components of daily clinical practice mainly in risk patients.