Psychosocial issues in people with epilepsy in Togo and Benin (West Africa) II: Quality of life measured using the QOLIE-31 scale

Purpose. This study in Togo and Benin, West Africa, was aimed at measuring health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of people with epilepsy (PWE). Methods. It was a cross-sectional study among 281 adult PWE in Togo and 215 in Benin matched with the same number of controls without epilepsy, using the Quality Of Life in Epilepsy Scale-31 (QOLIE-31). Results. In Togo and Benin, controls had significantly better HRQOL (80.3±7.4, 72.2±12.7) than PWE (49.5±14.4, 52.1±33.4) according to the QOLIE-31 Overall score (P < 0.0001). HRQOL was, in general, negatively correlated with a higher frequency of seizures and lack of treatment. Conclusion. Results call for specific management of epilepsy in PWE in Togo and Benin to improve their HRQOL. © 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.