New survey findings revealed within the journal Epilepsy and Behavior counsel a necessity for novel approaches to care supply and elevated social assist for individuals with epilepsy, a bunch of people that have been considerably impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The cross-sectional examine of 260 individuals with epilepsy collected knowledge between October and December 2020, months following the onset of the pandemic within the United States. Survey responses indicated that roughly one-third of respondents skilled worsening of concurrent well being situations and a heightened concern of experiencing seizures, each of which led to a concern of in search of out care in the course of the examine interval.

“One plausible explanation is that the loss of some health care services among [people with epilepsy] could increase reported mental and physical symptoms, and reluctance to seek medical care causes delays in treatment during the pandemic,” defined the researchers. Throughout the examine interval, 7% of respondents have been recognized with COVID-19.

Multivariate logistic regression confirmed that respondents who reported a concern of in search of out well being care have been extra prone to additionally report an exacerbated co-occurring well being situation (aOR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.01–1.26) and have an elevated concern of getting a seizure (aOR, 2.31; 95% CI, 1.14–4.68). Having extra restricted entry to bodily care in the course of the examine interval was additionally related to an elevated concern of getting a seizure (aOR 2.58; 95percentCI 1.15–5.78).

“A significant correlation between fear of seeking health care services and co-occurring health conditions, and fear of seizure can indicate high levels of general anxiety in a pandemic situation, and worsening anxiety could be triggered by the stress scenario during the pandemic,” the authors wrote. “Thus, epilepsy health care services should not be postponed, and people with epilepsy should be informed that measures are being taken to ensure hospital safety.”

More than half of affected person reported stress (58%) and anxiousness (57%) as a COVID-19 stressor, and practically half reported a rise in social isolation. The multivariate evaluation discovered that experiencing elevated social isolation was considerably related to exacerbated co-occurring well being situations (aOR 1.14; 95 CI% 1.01–1.29).

“Consistent with previous research, our results demonstrated that social isolation due to COVID-19 could lead to negative consequences for the physical health of different populations,” wrote the researchers. “Very few studies have examined how depression, anxiety, and social support relate to people with epilepsy during COVID-19, and there was a significant association between living alone and epilepsy with a higher seizure frequency.”

The authors concluded that measures to prevent social isolation, including outside of the pandemic era, may be helpful for those living with epilepsy.

“These studies showed that lack of social support is associated with higher psychological distress, and preventing social isolation is essential for people with epilepsy even in the non-pandemic era,” the authors wrote. “Therefore, providing greater opportunities for social connection will be critical to improving physical and mental health conditions and ultimately increasing people with epilepsy’s quality of life.”

Reference

Roghani A, Bouldin A, Mobasher H, et al. COVID-19 pandemic experiences amongst individuals with epilepsy: Effect on signs of co-occurring well being situations and concern of seizure. Epilepsy Behav. Published on-line April 4, 2023. doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2023.109206