ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN COGNITIVE AND MEMORY PROBLEMS, EMPLOYMENT AND QUALITY OF LIFE: A SURVEY OF EPILEPSY PATIENTS IN AUSTRALIA

Abstract

IntroductionThis analysis explored relationships between memory/cognitive issues, quality of life (QoL), and employment among patients with epilepsy (PwE) in Australia.MethodsCross-sectional surveys were completed by PwE, or caregiver proxies, recruited via the online pharmacy application MedAdvisor and Australian PwE Facebook groups from May–August 2018. Data were collected on adverse events from antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), comorbidities, epilepsy severity and management, QoL (using QOLIE-10-P total score)1 and demographics. Descriptive statistics were stratified by employment status: employed; not looking for work (NLW); looking for work (LW); or unable to work (UW), and differences in mea..