EPILEPSY IN ADULTS : DESCRIPTIVE CHARACTERISTICS
Spyridon Roussos, Dimitrios Kastos, Ioannis Koutelekos, Georgios Vasilopoulos, Theodoros Kapadohos, Antonia Kalogianni, Evangelos Dousis
Thursday, January 10, 2019
Publication year:
2019
Authors:
- Roussos Spyridon, Msc in Applied Clinical Nursing, University of West Attica, Department of Nursing, Athens, Greece
- Kastos Dimitrios, Msc in Applied Clinical Nursing, University of West Attica, Department of Nursing, Athens, Greece
- Koutelekos Ioannis, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Nursing A',Technological Educational Institute of Athens
- Vasilopoulos Georgios, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Health and Caring Professions, Department of Nursing, Athens University of Applied Sciences, Greece
- Kapadohos Theodoros, Associate Professor,Department of Nursing,University of West Attica Greece
- Kalogianni Antonia, Associate Professor,Department of Nursing,University of West Attica Greece
- Dousis Evangelos, Assistant Professor, Department of Nursing, University of West Attika
Keywords index:
Pages: 270-282
Abstract:
Εpilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders with a global prevalence of 0.6% - 1.2%. It is a serious neurological disorder related to social stigma, psychiatric co-morbidity and high financial costs. Purpose: To explore the characteristics of adults diagnosed with epilepsy. Material and Method: The study sample consisted of 100 adults with a diagnosis of epilepsy who followed periodic check-up in outpatient clinics. Data were collected by the method of interview using a questionnaire that included patients' characteristics. Results: Of 100 participants, 44 were men and 56 were women. Regarding demographic characteristics, the majority were 31-40 years (37%), married (41%), secondary education (47%), lived in Attica (81%) and were private employees (55%). In terms of clinical characteristics, in the majority of participants, diagnosis was set at the age of 20-29 years (51%), by chance (22%), while 47% had 3 to 5 seizures in the last 12 months, 33% had a prior hospitalization in the last two years due to crises, 77% reported periodic follow up between 2 to 4 times a year, 45% reported insomnia, and 62% reported drowsiness. Also, 76% and 72% maintained a very good relationship with nurses and medical staff, respectively. Regarding daily habits, 45% occasionally used to drink alcohol, 71% were driving car, 67% had night life 65% were current smokers while only 3% of the sample carried a health information card. Conclusions: The results of this study will inform health professionals about the characteristics of adults with epilepsy and will provide important information for the design and implementation of individualized nursing care.
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