Clinical and social determinants of quality of life in patients with epilepsy

Abstract

Introduction: Epilepsy is one of the most common chronic neurological disorders. The condition is characterized by recurrent epileptic seizures and can negatively impact patients’ quality of life, particularly in its social dimension.

Objective: This study analyzes the influence of clinical factors and social determinants on the quality of life of individuals with epilepsy.

Methods: The study included 89 individuals with a diagnosis of epilepsy. Data were collected using the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory questionnaire, supplemented by items on sociodemographic characteristics and social determinants.

Results: The findings revealed that the overall quality of life of patients with epilepsy was at a moderate level, with the lowest scores observed in the domains of energy/fatigue and seizure-related worry. Overall quality of life was positively correlated with social functioning (p < 0.001), cognitive functioning ( p < 0.001), emotional well-being ( p < 0.001), and perceived medication effects ( p < 0.001). Recent seizures were associated with lower overall Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory-31 scores ( p < 0.05).

Conclusion: The quality of life of individuals with epilepsy is influenced by a complex set of clinical, psychological, and social determinants, with social functioning representing a key integrative factor. Comprehensive, patient-centered care is recommended, addressing not only seizure control but also psychological well-being, treatment tolerability, and social participation.

Keywords

Epilepsy / Quality of life / Social support / Clinical factors / Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory-31 questionnaire

Acknowledgements

None.

Funding

This study was conducted within the KEGA-015PU-4/2024 project entitled “Application of New Methods in Teaching of Future Health Professionals for Improving Self-Management of Patients Towards Their Health.” The authors wish to thank the Faculty of Health Care, University of Presov, for their research grant support during the preparation of this manuscript.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

Author contributions

Conceptualization: Ľudmila Majerníkov, Anna Hudáková

Data curation: Ľudmila Majerníkov

Formal analysis: Ľudmila Majerníkov, Andrea Obročníková

Methodology: Ľudmila Majerníkov

Supervision: Andrea Obročníková, Anna Hudáková

Writing–original draft: Ľudmila Majerníková, Anna Hudáková

Writing–review & editing: Andrea Obročníková

Ethics approval and consent to participate

The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the J. A. Reiman Faculty (No.49/EK/2025). All procedures related to this cross-sectional study were conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and national research committees, as well as the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Consent for publication

Written informed consent for publication was not required, as the manuscript contains no identifiable patient data or images. Participant privacy and confidentiality were fully maintained throughout the study.

Availability of data

Data is available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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