Previous studies have demonstrated contradictory results between the perceived quality of life in patients with epilepsy and their main clinical features. the aim of this study is to establish a correlation between clinical characteristics of epilepsy (type of crisis and frequency), EEG findings and the response to treatment (including secondary effects) related to quality of life and perception of global health in those patients.

27 consecutive patients from an outpatient neurological clinic were evaluated. Mean age was 42,04 +/- 12,27 years, with a mean of 27,41 years from diagnosis of epilepsy (SD 12,25). Clinical characteristics were defined by WHO-ICD 10 and ILAE classifications. Response to medication and secondary effects were evaluated with a longitudinal scale and quality of life and general health perception throughout validated questionnaires (QOLIE-10 and GHQ).

Negative and significative correlations were found between: type of crisis and the diagnosis of epilepsy; type of crisis and EEG findings and years of diagnosis and secondary effects of treatment. There was a positive correlation between the frequency of crisis and the response to medication. Perception of general health had a negative correlation with the type of crisis and the secondary effects of treatment and between the frequency of crisis and the quality of life.

The authors emphasize the negative correlations related to the perception of global health and the quality of life in the epileptic patient associated to the frequency of seizures they suffer and the secondary effects of antiepileptic drugs prescribed.