[Quality of life in epilepsy]

Quality of life scales present scoring and response quantification problems when applied to epileptics patients. Moreover, to date they have been based on subjective concepts. Factors related to disease, on the other hand, can give rise to inconsistencies in the objective quality of life. We propose a new scale called the Global Assessment Sheet for Epilepsy in the Adult developed by the Epilepsy Study Group of the Spanish Neurological Society. On a single sheet, whether scored by computer or on paper, the scale attempts to give a clear reflection of clinical picture and course of disease. The data come from multiple sources, homogeneous scores are given for a variety of items and the components are modular such that scores can be used together or separately. The scale represents an effort to provide an objective, concrete scoring system, associating definitions to each score and avoiding responses such as "a lot/normal/little/very little". The scale is physician-assessed so that the questionnaire can be superimposed on well-recorded follow-up medical histories within a reasonable amount of time. New concepts are introduced, such as a crisis index, divided into four main notions: severity of crises, negative impact of side effects, quality of life indicators and self-evaluation of quality of life.