Social functioning and psychological well-being of 347 young adults with epilepsy only--population-based, controlled...

To explore social functioning and psychological well-being in a population-based cohort of epilepsy patients compared to matched controls.

A random sample of patients with epilepsy (N = 347) and a healthy control group (N = 430) matched for age, gender and domicile were identified through National Registry of Social Insurance Institution in Finland. The data were collected by postal questionnaire assessing various factors related to social and psychological well-being and were analyzed by using linear regression analysis to compare the study and control groups.

The age at onset of epilepsy was significantly associated with the level of further education and the level of seizure control with the employment status. The patients with epilepsy and lower level of basic education had also significantly lower level of further education, employment, and fewer social relations. Some differences in psychological well-being were also seen in those with matriculation examination when compared to matched controls.

In young adults with well-controlled epilepsy and successful basic education, social functioning is comparable with healthy peers. The importance of all social and educational support during the time of basic education may be crucial to favorable intellectual, functional, and social development later in life. Both professional and informal support is needed in adjunct to conventional treament of epilepsy, which is emphasized.