Negative symptoms and psychosocial status in temporal lobe epilepsy

To determine the relationship between negative symptoms, psychosocial function and quality of life in temporal lobe epilepsy.

23 patients with temporal lobe epilepsy with negative symptoms were matched on gender, age, years of education, duration and age of epilepsy onset with 23 temporal lobe epilepsy patients exhibiting no negative symptoms as determined by a standardized rating system (SANS/SAPS). The matched groups were compared in regard to: (1). employment status, (2). dependence on government financial subsidy, (3). relationship/marital status, and (4). self-reported quality of life.

Temporal lobe epilepsy patients with negative symptoms exhibited higher rates of unemployment, dependence on government aid, social isolation, and poorer self-reported quality of life relative to temporal lobe patients without negative symptoms.

Interictal negative symptoms are associated with significantly increased psychosocial morbidity and poorer quality of life in temporal lobe epilepsy.