Jones, B., Reuber, M. and Norman, P. (2016) Correlates of health-related quality of life in adults with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures: A systematic review. Epilepsia, 57 (2). pp. 171-181. ISSN 0013-9580
Abstract
Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) often have a debilitating effect on patients’ lives. Patients, family members, and clinicians have yet to fully understand the mechanisms and treatment of this disorder. Although reviews exist about epileptic seizures, there have been no systematic reviews of studies focusing on the impact of PNES. This review considers research on factors associated with the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with PNES. Searches of Medline, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library were conducted. Search terms identified studies that examined factors associated with HRQoL in PNES. Factors fell into three categories: (1) seizure and somatic factors, (2) psychological factors, and (3) coping strategies and family functioning. Fourteen articles were included. The majority of studies were cross-sectional and were of weak to moderate quality. Depressive symptoms were negatively associated with HRQoL. Other factors associated with poorer HRQoL included dissociation, somatic symptoms, escape-avoidance coping strategies, and family dysfunction. Variables such as seizure frequency and demographic factors were not significantly associated with HRQoL. Psychological and interpersonal factors, not seizure reduction, are important for the HRQoL of patients with PNES. The avoidance of emotions is proposed as a perpetuating factor in the difficulties associated with poorer HRQoL. A biopsychosocial approach has relevance for both the clinical and theoretical understanding of PNES. Larger scale research on psychological and relational factors is needed to inform therapeutic approaches to enhance HRQoL in patients with PNES.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2016 Wiley. This is an author produced version of a paper subsequently published in Epilepsia. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | Health-related quality of life; Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures; Psychological; Depression; Interpersonal; Coping |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Science (Sheffield) > Department of Psychology (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 19 Nov 2015 16:35 |
Last Modified: | 03 Jan 2017 19:49 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/ 10.1111/epi.13268 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Wiley |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1111/epi.13268 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:91847 |