Abstract

According to the World Health Organization, epilepsy affects approximately 50 million people worldwide, making it one of the most prevalent neurological disorders (WHO, 2019). This condition impacts individuals across all demographics, including age, race, socioeconomic status, geographic location, and gender (Beghi, 2020). Epilepsy poses significant physical, psychological, social, and economic challenges for patients, their families, and society as a whole (Akosile et al., 2021). Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is a crucial factor in the management of epilepsy, as studies have consistently shown that people living with epilepsy tend to report a lower quality of life compared to other patient groups (Akosile et al., 2021; Edefonti et al., 2011). Epilepsy impacts various aspects of a patient's life, including physical health, mental health, social function, and energy levels (WHO, 2019). A study conducted by Al-Asmi et al. (2012) on 150 Omani patients with epilepsy revealed that 27% experienced depression, while 45% suffered from an anxiety disorder.

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationship between perceived health-related quality of life and depression among Omani patients living with epilepsy.

Method

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 238 patients attending the neurology wards or outpatient departments of two tertiary care hospitals in Muscat, Oman. Using simple random proportionate sampling, data were gathered from patients with epilepsy who volunteered to participate. The self-reported questionnaire collected demographic and clinical information and included the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE-31) and the Neurological Disorders Depression Inventory for Epilepsy (NDDI-E).

Results

Most participants were male (60.8%), with an average age of 31±11.569. A majority (55%) experienced generalized seizures, and 50.8% had idiopathic epilepsy. The mean quality of life score was 53.56±15.929, suggesting a moderate level of quality of life. Additionally, 34.9% reported experiencing depression due to epilepsy. A statistically significant, strong correlation was found between depression and quality of life scores (p<.05).

Conclusion

Patients with epilepsy in Oman report moderate HRQOL levels and commonly experience depression associated with their condition.

Implications for practice

Health promotion activities for epilepsy patients—including self-management education, regular exercise, mental health support, medication adherence assistance, nutritional guidance, stress-reduction workshops, vocational training, public awareness initiatives, and routine quality of life assessments—can significantly enhance their overall well-being, reduce the frequency and impact of seizures, and help mitigate the effects of depression and anxiety.