Quality of life and stigma in Lebanese people with epilepsy taking medication

Epilepsy is among the more stigmatising diseases, leading to a negative impact on the quality of life (QoL) of people with epilepsy (PWE). Assessment of the QoL and stigma in PWE reflects the outcome of their disease, and the findings can be used to improve the management of epilepsy. To fill a gap in the literature, our primary aim is to evaluate the QoL and stigma in Lebanese PWE, and our secondary aim is to identify factors affecting these parameters.

A cross-sectional study was conducted for 1 year in Greater Beirut. PWE were interviewed by using a standardised questionnaire. QoL was evaluated by the QoL in Epilepsy Inventory-10 (QOLIE-10), and the stigma was evaluated by the Jacoby scale. Multivariate analyses were used to identify the factors associated with QoL and stigma.

The sample was 404 PWE. More than half of the PWE (61.4 %) had a better QoL than the other PWE (mean QOLIE-10 score of 26.9 ± 11.3), and 47.8 % of PWE felt stigmatised. Linear regression showed that presence of psychiatric comorbidities (p = 0.03), stigma (p < 0.001), experiencing side effects (p = 0.001), polytherapy (p = 0.002), living in a northern area (p = 0.003), and older age (p = 0.004) were the major factors associated with a poor QoL. Logistic regression showed that a low level of QoL (p = 0.005) and experiencing side effects (p = 0.045) were associated with a high level of stigma.

An appropriate treatment based on a monotherapy can reduce the risk of side effects, improving QoL of PWE, and decreasing stigma. Furthermore, the management of depression by specialists is an essential step to improve the QoL of Lebanese PWE. Education programmes and information on epilepsy and treatment also play a major role in reducing stigma.