Quality of life dynamics in pharmacoresistent epilepsy patients after epilepsy surgery

Background. In recent years, the results of surgical treatment of epilepsy are estimated not only by a reduction in the frequency and/or elimination of the epileptic seizures, but also by the patients' quality of life (QOL) improvement. The study's objectives were to assess QOL in pharmacoresistent patients with epilepsy after epilepsy. Material and methods. Health-related quality of life was assessed using the special QOLIE-31 questionnaire before surgery and one, six and twelve months after surgery. 18 patients with intractable seizures at the age of 18-46 years (average duration of disease - 15,06±8,21 years) completed «QOLIE-31» questionnaire. Results. After surgical treatment 12 (67%) patients had gained control of epileptic seizures, in 6 (33%) patients attacks continued. In all patients after one month after epilepsy surgery there was a significant increase in the total QOLIE-31 score. In patients with complete seizure control a significant overall QOL score difference was demonstrated before and after surgical treatment (in 1, 6 and 12 months). Seizure-free surgery patients had higher QOL than patients without seizure control. In patients not achieved seizure freedom QOL decreased after 12 months of the surgical treatment. Conclusions. Surgical treatment allows improving the QOL in patients with pharmacoresistent types of epilepsy, especially in the case of complete seizure control.