Individuals with post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) are more likely to have drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) and report lower QOL, according to a study published in Neurology. James J. Gugger, MD, PharmD, and colleagues examined QOL across distinct epilepsy phenotypes in a cohort of post9/11 veterans with high rates of traumatic brain injury. Data were included for 529 survey respondents with epilepsy: 249 controls, 124 with DRE, 86 with PTE, and 70 with drug-resistant post-traumatic epilepsy (PT-DRE). Compared with those with non-traumatic epilepsy, DRE was more common among those with PTE (45% vs 33%; OR, 1.6). Significantly more comorbid conditions were reported among patients with PTE and PT-DRE than those with non-traumatic epilepsy. Across all six QOL measures, those with both PTE and DRE reported the lowest QOL; after adjustment for comorbidities, this finding persisted. “We believe a deeper understanding of the factors affecting [QOL] in people with post-traumatic epilepsy may help us identify those at the greatest risk and then identify effective treatments,” a coauthor said in a statement.
