న్యూరోలాజికల్ డిజార్డర్స్

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Patients Taking Antiepileptic Drugs

Abstract

Hawraa Abou Khalil

Epilepsy in one of the most common neurological diseases and may result in poor quality of life (QOL) in case of lack of knowledge, negative attitude, and reduced practice. The objective of this study is the assessment of knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of patients taking anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs). An observational cross-sectional study was conducted on the Lebanese patients taking AEDs. The QOL score was assessed and calculated using the quality of life 10 instruments (QOLIE-10) questionnaire. Among the 150 patients included in the study, 60% took carbamazepine as AEDs and 62% were on a monotherapy. The mean of the QOLIE-10 score is 23.92 ± 7.17 which is indicates a good QOL. The mean of the knowledge sub-score is 5.14 ±1.68, the mean of the attitude sub-score is 6.72 ± 1.15, and the majority of patients (82%) always follow health care provider’s instructions about medication. The mean of the practice sub-score is 8.13 ± 1.78. The multiple linear regression carried out revealed that practice (p-value <0.001) is significantly associated with QOLIE-10 score. Being married (p-value < 0.001) and not being employed (p-value = 0.009) also affected the QOLIE-10 score. Treatment of epilepsy should include other health dimensions in addition to maintaining seizure free intervals. This study may be helpful to health care professionals in identifying the areas where the QOL of PWE can be improved; especially the impact of the practice that should be taken by them since it significantly affected the QOL as well as increasing their knowledge and favoring positive attitude towards epilepsy.