An evaluation of self-management behaviors and medication adherence in patients with epilepsy

Comprehensive treatment of epilepsy involves many facets including self-management behaviors. The primary purpose of this study was to characterize the self-management behaviors of our patients. Additionally, we wanted to assess if the behaviors differed depending on the level of seizure control. Adult patients with epilepsy were recruited for this cross-sectional study. We used two previously validated scales to assess various self-management behaviors and collected clinical data. Our sample consisted of 50 patients (23 women). The mean overall Epilepsy Self-Management Scale (ESMS) question score was 3.72+/-0.41. The mean question scores on the ESMS subscales Medication Management, Information Management, Safety Management, Seizure Management, and Lifestyle Management were 4.4, 2.7, 3.9, 4.0, and 2.6, respectively. Information Management and Safety Management subscale scores were higher in the patients continuing to have seizures. Based on the Morisky scale, patients fell into either the low (n=2), medium (n=27), or high (n=21) medication-taking behavior category. Self-management skills, beyond medication-taking behaviors, should be emphasized during patient interactions.