Quality of life in childhood epilepsy

Epilepsy is a chronic disorder in which onset occurs primarily during childhood and adolescence. Traditionally, treatment of childhood epilepsy emphasizes neurologic aspects over psychological factors. The attention to the seizure control in the clinical setting will not address the full range of quality of life problems of childhood epilepsy. Many of the psychosocial difficulties that plague adults with epilepsy develop fi om the complications associated with this early onset. Children with epilepsy have a high prevalence of behavior problems and learning problems. Assessing quality of life in pediatric epilepsy is especially important because children are in critical periods of development during which many cognitive and social skills are being learned. This study presents a simplified inventory of quality of life, with cultural, personal, social and relationship aspects. This investigation makes possible to the professional knowledge about children and a best direction of their conducts.571343

Sexual dysfunction in epilepsy - Identifying the psychological variables

In order to evaluate the psychological variables that affect sexual dysfunction (SD) in epilepsy, where compared 60 epileptics (Group 1) with 60 healthy individuals (Group 2), through the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Spielberger et al., 1970), Beck Depression Inventory (Beck, 1974) and Sexual Behavior Interview (Souza, 1995). Sexual dysfunction (SD), anxiety and depression were found more frequently in Group 1 than in Group 2 and were not related to sex. Variables such as the onset duration and frequency of seizures as well as the use to medication were not associated with SD. Temporal lobe epilepsy was related to SD (p = 0.035) but net to anxiety or depression. Anxiety and depression were related to SD in both groups. Perception in controlling the seizures was closely related to anxiety (p = 0) and depression (p = 0.009). We conclude that psychological factors play an important role in the alteration of sexual behavior in epileptics and that suitable attention must be given to the control of these variables.582A21422

The second step in the construction of a stigma scale of scale

Rationale: The issue of stigmatization is one of the most common psychosocial problems faced by people with epilepsy. Purpose: A second step towards the development of a scale to measure epilepsy stigma. Method: We applied a closed questionnaire to 12 patients and 32 relatives from the Epilepsy Outpatient Clinic at the University Hospital of Campinas. Results: The results are grouped in three main domains: medical, social and personal areas. Medical: the subjects did not know exactly what epilepsy is or how it is caused; nonetheless they know how to treat it. Social: the most important areas that people with epilepsy are discriminated are at work and social relationships. Patients also complained about their lack of freedom and limits on recreation activities. Personal Area: subjects apparently have the same feelings and thoughts about epilepsy and seizures. Conclusion: This study analyzed the most common aspects presented in the questionnaire to assess epilepsy stigma for the Brazilian culture which are the base to the elaboration of a stigma scale of epilepsy.632B39539