AccScience Publishing / EJMO / Online First / DOI: 10.36922/EJMO025010552
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ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE

Clinical and social determinants of quality of life in patients with epilepsy

Ľudmila Majerníková1* ,  Andrea Obročníková1 ,  Anna Hudáková1
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1 Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Care, University of Presov, Presov, Slovakia
EJMO, 025010552 https://doi.org/10.36922/EJMO025010552
Received: 30 December 2025 | Revised: 9 February 2026 | Accepted: 25 February 2026 | Published online: 23 April 2026
© 2026 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution -Noncommercial 4.0 International License (CC-by the license) ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ )
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Abstract

Introduction: Epilepsy is one of the most common chronic neurological disorders. The condition is characterized by recurrent epileptic seizures and can negatively impact patients’ quality of life, particularly in its social dimension.

Objective: This study analyzes the influence of clinical factors and social determinants on the quality of life of individuals with epilepsy.

Methods: The study included 89 individuals with a diagnosis of epilepsy. Data were collected using the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory questionnaire, supplemented by items on sociodemographic characteristics and social determinants.

Results: The findings revealed that the overall quality of life of patients with epilepsy was at a moderate level, with the lowest scores observed in the domains of energy/ fatigue and seizure-related worry. Overall quality of life was positively correlated with social functioning (p < 0.001), cognitive functioning (p < 0.001), emotional well-being (p < 0.001), and perceived medication effects (p < 0.001). Recent seizures were associated with lower overall Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory-31 scores (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: The quality of life of individuals with epilepsy is influenced by a complex set of clinical, psychological, and social determinants, with social functioning representing a key integrative factor. Comprehensive, patient-centered care is recommended, addressing not only seizure control but also psychological well-being, treatment tolerability, and social participation.

Keywords
Epilepsy
Quality of life
Social support
Clinical factors
Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory-31 questionnaire
Funding
This study was conducted within the KEGA-015PU-4/2024 project entitled “Application of New Methods in Teaching of Future Health Professionals for Improving Self-Management of Patients Towards Their Health.” The authors wish to thank the Faculty of Health Care, University of Presov, for their research grant support during the preparation of this manuscript.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.
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Eurasian Journal of Medicine and Oncology, Electronic ISSN: 2587-196X Print ISSN: 2587-2400, Published by AccScience Publishing
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