Seizure severity is associated with quality of life independent of seizure frequency

Objective: The goal of the work described here was to determine whether seizure severity is associated with quality of life and if this association exists independent of seizure frequency. Methods: We administered a survey questionnaire to patients followed at the Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, University of Florida Health Sciences Center/Jacksonville. Results: The Study population comprised 142 subjects. On univariate analysis, increased seizure severity (as measured with the revised Liverpool Seizure Severity Scale, LSSS) and seizure frequency were significantly associated with poorer Quality of Life in Epilepsy-10 (QOLIE-10) scores. Most items on the LSSS were significantly associated with QOLIE-10 scores, as well as the various scales of the QOLIE-10. Likewise, all QOLIE-10 scales were significantly associated with overall LSSS scores. The correlation between seizure severity and frequency was insignificant. On multiple linear regression, both seizure severity and frequency were independently associated with QOLIE-10 scores. Conclusion: Seizure severity is associated with quality of life and this association exists independent of seizure frequency. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.