Perceived stress and its predictors in people with epilepsy

Objective Perceived stress in people with epilepsy (PWE) is one of the major precipitants for seizures. We investigated the degree of perceived stress in PWE and its predictors. We also aimed to reveal the interrelationships among the predictors. Methods This was a case–control study. Consecutive patients visiting a tertiary care epilepsy clinic completed self-reported questionnaires including the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Revised Stigma Scale (RSS), Korean version of the Neurological Disorders Depression Inventory for Epilepsy (K-NDDI-E), Generalized Anxiety Disorder — 7 (GAD-7), and short forms of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System — Sleep Disturbance (PROMIS-SD) and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System — Sleep-Related Impairment (PROMIS-SRI) scales. Results The mean score of the PSS was significantly lower in patients with well-controlled epilepsy (WCE) and higher in those with uncontrolled epilepsy compared with controls. Although several factors including demographic, socioeconomic, psychosomatic, and epilepsy-related factors were associated with the PSS score, the strongest predictor for the PSS score was the K-NDDI-E score, followed by the PROMIS-SRI score, the GAD-7 score, and seizure control. Psychosomatic factors exerted both a direct effect on the PSS score and an indirect effect on the PSS score through seizure control. Conclusion Rapid detection and appropriate management of psychiatric and sleep-related problems in PWE may lessen stress and aid in preventing further seizures.