Sex differences in marital status of people with epilepsy in Northeast China: An observational study

Abstract

PurposeOur aims were to determine (1) whether the marriage rate was different between the sexes and (2) whether the influencing factors of marital status varied by sexes. MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed among 475 people with epilepsy (PWE) in Northeast China. The demographic information and clinical data were gathered and recorded. Sex differences in the marriage rate of PWE and the related influencing factors were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the independent factors influencing marital status in men and women, respectively. ResultsAmong 475 participants, 219 (79.6%) men with epilepsy (MWE) were married, and 140 (70%) women with epilepsy (WWE) were married. In MWE, age, educational level, age at seizure onset, and disease duration were significantly different between the married men and the single men. In WWE, age, educational level, occupation and age at seizure onset showed significant differences between the married women and the single women. In the multiple logistic regression model, age and age at first seizure onset had an independent effect on the marital status in men with epilepsy. Multiple logistic regression analysis also revealed that age and age at first seizure onset were independent factors that influenced marital status in WWE. ConclusionMen with epilepsy were more likely to marry than WWE. Age and the age of seizure onset independently affected the marital status of men and women.