Abstract
BACKGROUND: Although epilepsy can be managed, it markedly affects individuals' quality of life (QOL), through factors such as seizure severity and social stigma. This study examined QOL in patients with epilepsy living in the western region of KSA. METHODS: A cross-sectional design considering clinical and sociodemographic factors was used to assess QOL in patients with epilepsy. Purposive and snowball sampling were used to recruit participants from the western region of KSA. Data were collected via a structured questionnaire administered electronically and in person at King Fahad Hospital in Almadinah Almunawwarah. The questionnaire included Quality of Life in Epilepsy-31 (QOLIE-31), which assesses seven QOL domains, scored from 0 to 100, with higher scores reflecting better QOL. RESULTS: Among the respondents, 57.1 % were women, 60.1 % were single, 56.2 % had a bachelor's degree, and 57.7 % were unemployed. The mean QOLIE total score for the participants was 56.56 ± 16.03, and the energy/fatigue domain had the lowest score. Factors such as the presence of chronic disease (p < 0.01) and frequent seizures (p < 0.05) were associated with poorer QOL in patients with epilepsy. Furthermore, emotional well-being, energy, and fatigue were ameliorated with age (p < 0.01). The findings indicated high cognitive functioning in married people with epilepsy (p < 0.05), high QOL in participants who had earned a high school degree (p < 0.05), high social functioning in men (p < 0.05), and high emotional well-being in patients with an annual income of 10,000-15,000 SAR (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Chronic diseases and seizure duration, type, and frequency were found to affect the individual dimensions of QOL and overall QOL among patients with epilepsy. The findings highlight the importance of tailored interventions, such as educational campaigns and self-management empowerment, to address QOL differences associated with patient- and epilepsy-related factors.