Analysis Of Natural History,the Quality Of Life In Tibetan Patients With Convulsive Epilepsy And Prevalence In Rural Tibet: An Initial Survey

Objective: The aim of this survey was To identify factors affecting the quality of life and natural history in Tietan patients with convulsive epilepsy, to find out the prevalence rate of convulsive epilepsy and its treatment gap in rural areas of Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR),Methods: 1. One hundred and twenty-six Tibetan epileptic outpatients were included. Quality of life was evaluated by the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory-31 (QOLIE-31).Univariate analysis and multiple regression analysis were used to determine factors affecting the quality of life in Tibetan patients with convulsive epilepsy.2.cluster sampling was adopted to conduct a door-to-door epidemiological survey among 14822 rural populations in Gongka town, Zhaxigang and Quzika village located in Medrogongka and Markham counties of TAR. Clinical and sociodemographic data were collected from 37 convulsive patients.Results: 1. The mean QOLIE-31 total score was 48.58±17.29 with the lowest subcomponent score 32.92±22.97 for Seizure Worry and the highest 77.11±20.98 for Medication Effects. Age, occupation, education, economic status, age at epilepsy onset and seizure frequency significantly correlated with low QOLIE-31 scores (p<0.05). Gender, marital status, duration were not factors that influenced quality of life (P>0.05).2.The lifetime prevalence was 2.5‰in TAR, and 94.59% cases were active epilepsy. Nearly 50% patients took traditional Tibetan treatment, and 97.1% patients with active epilepsy did not receive reasonable antiepileptic treatment medicine in the week before the survey (treatment gap).Conclusion: 1. Age, occupation, education, economic status, age at epilepsy onset and seizure frequency had influence on quality of life. Gender, marital status, duration were not factors that influenced quality of life.2.The prevalence rate was relatively lower than other rural regions, however the great treatment gap and poor quality of life indicated the extreme needs for medical resources. It was urgent to implement public health education and professional training to provide sustainable long-term medical services within the existing health care structures in TAR.