Anti-epileptic Drugs Adherence and Quality of Life among Epileptic Patients in Al Ahsa Region, Saudi Arabia

Abstract Background: Epilepsy is defined as a chronic central nervous system disease characterised by a tendency to develop unprovoked seizures. The main aim of this study is to evaluate adherence to anti-seizure medications and their relationship with quality of life among epileptic patients. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey-based design involving 23 patients diagnosed with epilepsy visiting the outpatient department to study the adherence to anti-epileptic medication and quality of life (QoL) among epileptic patients at Al-Moosa Specialist Hospital in Al-Ahsa region, Saudi Arabia. Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8 and QoL were used to assess the medical adherence and quality of life of patients. Results: The study included 23 participants with having equal proportion of age among participants of participants. The overall adherence pattern observed among 91.3% of participants was statistically significant ( χ 2 = 15.696, P < 0.001). Regarding quality-of-life variables, a greater energetic feeling increased the odds of longer epilepsy duration (odds ratio [OR] =1.118; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.042–1.200; P = 0.002). Higher overall quality of life increased the odds (OR = 1.794; 95% CI, 1.511–2.128; P < 0.001), and better adherence to treatment (OR = 1.469; 95% CI, 1.101–1.961; P = 0.009). Conversely, higher seizure worry decreased the odds of prolonged epilepsy (OR = 0.477; 95% CI, 0.379–0.602; P < 0.001), and lower social function decreased the odds of longer epilepsy duration (OR = 0.959; 95% CI, 0.948–0.971; P < 0.001). Conclusions: This study observed very low medication adherence among participants, while higher adherence was observed to be associated with better emotional well-being and social functioning.