Trauma and health-related quality of life in patients with functional seizures

To assess the relationship between adverse life events and health-related quality of life in patients with functional seizures.

We recruited and consented patients with functional seizures who were admitted to the epilepsy monitoring unit and asked them to complete the Life Event Checklist for DSM-5 (LEC-5) and the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) to evaluate adverse life events and health-related quality of life, respectively. Additional variables were collected with a retrospective chart review. A multiple linear regression model was used to evaluate independent predictors of health-related quality of life.

A total of 97 patients were included, and 98 % identified at least 1 adverse life event that was either witnessed or personally experienced. Health-related quality of life was poor compared to the general population. An increased number of types of witnessed or personally experienced adverse life events were associated with a worse mental component summary score and older age was associated with a worse physical component summary score. A longer duration of time with FS was associated with a better mental component summary score which may reflect some degree of adaptation or improved coping skills that developed over time.

Our study found that an increased burden of adverse life events in patients with functional seizures impacts health-related quality of life. These findings may have treatment and resource allocation implications.