Seizure control and anxiety: Which factor plays a major role in social adjustment in patients with Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy?. (August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Paiva, Maria Luisa; Lima, Ellen Marise; Siqueira, Isabelle Bimbatti; Rzezak, Patricia; Koike, Camila; Moschetta, Sylvie P.; Vincentiis, Silvia; Alessi, Rudá; Khafif, Tatiana Cohab; Mendoza, Melanie; Valente, Kette D.
• Is Part Of: Seizure. Volume 80(2020)
• Page Start: 234
• Page End: 239
• Publication Date: 2020-08
• Subjects: Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy -- Social adjustment -- Seizure control -- Anxiety -- Psychiatric symptoms; Epilepsy -- Periodicals; Epilepsy -- Periodicals; Seizures -- Periodicals; Épilepsie -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; Electronic journals; 616.853
• DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2020.06.033
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1059-1311

Abstract

Highlights: Patients with JME presented severe anxiety symptoms and worse social adjustment compared with controls. The presence of anxiety disorder and the severity of anxiety symptoms were associated with frequent generalized tonic-clonic seizures and drug-resistant epilepsy. The severity of anxiety symptoms was associated with lower economic adjustment. The presence of anxiety disorder impacted family relationships. Recurrent seizures were associated with lower scores on work, leisure activities, and family relationships. Abstract: Purpose: This study aimed to determine the presence of anxiety disorder and severity of anxiety symptoms in an extensive series of consecutive patients with JME and its association with epilepsy-related factors. In addition, we evaluated the impact of anxiety and clinical variables on social adjustment. Methods: We prospectively evaluated 112 (56.2 % females, mean age 27.2 years) patients with an electroclinical diagnosis of JME and 61 (52.4 % females, mean age 29.3 years) healthy controls. Anxiety symptoms were assessed by the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Social functioning was addressed with Self-Report Social Adjustment Scale (SAS). The patient group was also evaluated with a psychiatric interview. Results: Patients with JME presented more severe anxiety symptoms and worse social adjustment compared with controls. The presence of anxiety disorder and the severity of anxiety symptoms was associated with frequent seizures - generalized tonic-clonic seizures (p = 0.008) and drug-resistant epilepsy (p = 0.021). Regarding social adjustment, the severity of anxiety symptoms was associated with lower economic adjustment (p = 0.039), while the presence of anxiety disorder impacted family relationships (p 0.025). The presence of hard-to-control myoclonic seizure was associated with lower scores on work (p = 0.019), leisure activities (p = 0.008), family relationship (p = 0.022) and overall social adjustment (p = 0.038). Conclusion: Patients with JME have severe anxiety symptoms and worse social adjustment. Anxiety disorder and symptoms were associated with frequent seizures and drug-resistant epilepsy. Epilepsy-related factors and anxiety impaired distinct aspects of social functioning.