Nonverbal fluency assessed by the five-point test in epilepsy patients with unilateral mesial temporal sclerosis-a Brazilian study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the performance of epilepsy patients diagnosed with unilateral mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS) on a nonverbal fluency measure using the five-point test (FPT). Our secondary aim was to investigate any differences in FPT and verbal fluency test (VFT) scores between left and right MTS. We hypothesized that scores on the FPT, commonly utilized in the assessment of individuals with presumed frontal lobe damage, would be lower in patients with temporal lobe dysfunction. METHOD: One hundred eighty patients diagnosed with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and 150 healthy controls (HCs) were included in this retrospective study. We analyzed correlations between scores obtained from FPT and phonemic and semantic VFT, and scores according to the lateralization of epileptogenic focus in the TLE group. RESULTS: Overall, the TLE patients had lower performance than the HCs on the FPT, but no differences were observed on perseverance rates (p = 0.992). Statistically significant difference was found in both sections of the VFT in association with the lateralization of the epileptogenic zone (p < 0.001). As for the FPT, differences did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.0857). CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the hypothesis of involvement of the temporal areas on tasks such as the FPT, despite the lack of a lateralizing effect. Our findings also contribute to better understanding of the role of the FPT in assessment of executive function in patients with unilateral MTS, and provide further psychometric data on a native Brazilian population.

The individual with epilepsy: perceptions about the disease and implications on quality of life. / A pessoa com epilepsia: percepções acerca da doença e implicações na qualidade de vida.

PURPOSE: The present study aims to analyze the perceptions of individuals with epilepsy about the disease and its impact in their quality of life (QoL). METHODS: This is a cross-sectional, qualitative and quantitative study conducted in a tertiary referral hospital associated with the Brazilian National Health System (SUS). Data were collected from 30 individuals with diagnosis of refractory temporal lobe epilepsy (RTLE). The study participants responded to a questionnaire to collect sociodemographic and clinical data, as well as their perceptions about the disease. QoL was assessed by the Subjective Handicap of Epilepsy (SHE) and the Stigma Scale of Epilepsy (SSE). RESULTS: Significant correlation was found between stigma and quality of life and the work and activity and social and personal life domains, as well as between stigma and perceptions about epilepsy. The responses provided by the participants were organized into four categories: definitions and causes, seizures and treatment, family and social impacts, and impact on individuals' lives. CONCLUSION: The results show that participants have limited knowledge about epilepsy and that there is a negative impact caused by the stigma related to this disease on their QoL. It was possible to verify that QoL and stigma are directly related to the understanding of participants about epilepsy. Therefore, it is important to implement programs and actions that aim to provide patients and their families with more comprehensive knowledge about epilepsy; promote communication between health professionals and patients; and encourage the participation of patients and their families during treatment.

A pessoa com epilepsia: percepções acerca da doença e implicações na qualidade de vida / The individual with epilepsy: perceptions about the disease and implications on quality of life

RESUMO Objetivo Analisar percepções de pessoas com epilepsia acerca da doença e seu impacto na qualidade de vida. Método Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo e quantitativo de corte transversal realizado em hospital de referência terciária, vinculado ao Sistema Único de Saúde. Participaram do estudo 30 pessoas com o diagnóstico de epilepsia de lobo temporal refratária. Foi aplicado questionário para a coleta dos dados sociodemográficos e clínicos, bem como das percepções acerca da doença. Avaliou-se a qualidade de vida por meio do Subjective Handicap of Epilepsye e o estigma pela Escala Estigma na Epilepsia. Resultados Foi encontrada significância na relação entre estigma e qualidade de vida com os domínios trabalho e social/pessoal, entre estigma e percepções sobre a epilepsia. As respostas fornecidas pelos participantes foram organizadas em quatro categorias: definições e causas; crises e tratamento; impacto familiar e social; impacto na vida das pessoas. Conclusão Evidenciou-se o predomínio do conhecimento restrito dos participantes acerca da epilepsia e o impacto negativo que o estigma relacionado a tal doença acarreta na qualidade de vida. Pode-se verificar que a qualidade de vida e o estigma estão diretamente relacionados ao conhecimento dos participantes sobre a epilepsia. Ressalta-se a necessidade do implemento de programas e ações que objetivem: proporcionar maior conhecimento sobre a epilepsia por parte do paciente e de seus familiares; favorecer a comunicação entre os profissionais de saúde e as PCEs; promover a participação do paciente e de seus familiares na gestão do tratamento.

ABSTRACT Purpose The present study aims to analyze the perceptions of individuals with epilepsy about the disease and its impact in their quality of life (QoL). Methods This is a cross-sectional, qualitative and quantitative study conducted in a tertiary referral hospital associated with the Brazilian National Health System (SUS). Data were collected from 30 individuals with diagnosis of refractory temporal lobe epilepsy (RTLE). The study participants responded to a questionnaire to collect sociodemographic and clinical data, as well as their perceptions about the disease. QoL was assessed by the Subjective Handicap of Epilepsy (SHE) and the Stigma Scale of Epilepsy (SSE). Results Significant correlation was found between stigma and quality of life and the work and activity and social and personal life domains, as well as between stigma and perceptions about epilepsy. The responses provided by the participants were organized into four categories: definitions and causes, seizures and treatment, family and social impacts, and impact on individuals’ lives. Conclusion The results show that participants have limited knowledge about epilepsy and that there is a negative impact caused by the stigma related to this disease on their QoL. It was possible to verify that QoL and stigma are directly related to the understanding of participants about epilepsy. Therefore, it is important to implement programs and actions that aim to provide patients and their families with more comprehensive knowledge about epilepsy; promote communication between health professionals and patients; and encourage the participation of patients and their families during treatment.