Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing can have adverse impacts on adult people with epilepsy (PWE). To investigate the seizure frequency, the perceived well-being, and the presence of anxiety symptoms in PWE during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Data from a questionnaire on the repercussions of COVID-19 were analyzed in relation to the clinical variables of 114 PWE, with a significance level of p<0.05. There were 26 cases of COVID-19 in PWE and/or family members (22.8%). During the pandemic period, 11 PWE (9.6%) reported an increase in seizures, but unrelated to COVID-19. Also, the number of crises in PWE with previous depressive disorders increased, with differences between epilepsies. Symptoms of depression, impaired well-being, and concern for their lifestyle were significant in PWE with a previous diagnosis of depression. Impaired well-being, increased anxiety, nervousness, and tiredness, and the concern with being infected were mentioned by a high number of PWE in the pandemic. Seizure frequency increased during the pandemic period, a finding associated with clinical variables of epilepsy. PWE with depression had worse perceived well-being. Changes in well-being and increased anxiety and nervousness were frequent in the pandemic.
Highlights
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), which was initially identified in China but quickly became a pandemic in early 2020, with great potential for transmission[1]
Concerns about the increase in the number or severity of seizures, the perceived wellbeing, and the presence of self-reported anxiety symptoms were significantly associated with several symptoms of epilepsy and the occurrence of COVID-19 in family members (Table 3)
The increased number of seizures in the pandemic was associated with the type of epilepsy, a previous diagnosis of depressive disorder, and the perception of nervousness during this period (Table 4)
Summary
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), which was initially identified in China but quickly became a pandemic in early 2020, with great potential for transmission[1]. This study is justified because it seeks to investigate demographic and clinical aspects related to the pandemic context and its association with symptoms of anxiety and changes in the lifestyle of adult people with epilepsy (PWE). The COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing can have adverse impacts on adult people with epilepsy (PWE). Objective: To investigate the seizure frequency, the perceived well-being, and the presence of anxiety symptoms in PWE during the COVID-19 pandemic period. 11 PWE (9.6%) reported an increase in seizures, but unrelated to COVID-19. Impaired well-being, increased anxiety, nervousness, and tiredness, and the concern with being infected were mentioned by a high number of PWE in the pandemic. Conclusion: Seizure frequency increased during the pandemic period, a finding associated with clinical variables of epilepsy. Changes in well-being and increased anxiety and nervousness were frequent in the pandemic
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