Quality Of Life In Caregivers Of Patients With Epilepsy And Related Influencing Factors

Objective: To explore quality of life in caregivers of patients with epilepsy, and assess related factors influencing their quality of life through this investigation, which aim to provide certain theoretical basis for developing effective interventions and improving the quality of life in caregivers of patients with epilepsy.Methods: This was a case-control study and the case group score of quality of life in caregivers of patients with epilepsy were acquired by The Short Form-36 Health Survey(SF-36), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale(SAS), Self-Rating Depression Scale(SDS), Epilepsy knowledge questionnaire, Quality of Life in Epilepsy-31,etc.Moreover the control group scores of quality of life acquired by The Short Form-36 Health Survey(SF-36).Results: This research revealed that caregivers of patients with epilepsy had a poorer quality of life such as bodily pain, general health perceptions, vitality, social functioning and mental health(P<0.05). Factors influencing quality of life in caregivers of patients with epilepsy included the duration, seizure type, quality of life of epilepsy patients and their caregivers with anxiety, depression, as well as awareness rate of epilepsy knowledge(P<0.05). The caregivers of epilepsy patients with longer duration had a lower score on the physical function dimension, general health dimensions and vitality dimensions(P<0.05). If epileptic had the kind of generalized tonic clonic seizures, their caregivers would a lower score on the physical function dimension, role limitations due to physical health dimensions and general health dimension(P<0.05).A significant negative correlation existed between caregivers with anxiety and scores of physical pain,vitality dimension(P<0.05). A significant negative correlation existed between caregivers with depression and scores of body pain dimension, general health dimension, mental health dimension(P<0.05).There existed a significant positive correlation between the more awareness rate of epilepsy knowledge,the higher scores on vitality dimensions and mental health dimensions(P<0.05). The quality of life in patients with epilepsy and their caregivers quality of life is negatively correlated, mainly in the social functioning dimension andthe role limitations due to emotional problems dimension(P<0.05).Conclusion:1. Caregivers of patients with epilepsy have a poorer quality of life on multiple dimensions.2.Factors influencing quality of life in caregivers of patients with epilepsy included duration of epilepsy patients, seizure type, quality of life in epileptics,caregivers with anxiety and depression, low awareness rate of knowledge of epilepsy,etc.