Psychosocial status 10years after temporal lobe resection for epilepsy, a longitudinal controlled study

• Published in: Epilepsy & behavior Vol. 28; no. 1; pp. 127 - 131
• Main Authors: Andersson-Roswall, Lena, Engman, Elisabeth, Samuelsson, Hans, Malmgren, Kristina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01.07.2013
• Subjects: Epilepsy; Memory; Outcomes; Psychosocial; Surgery; Psychosocial; Epilepsy; Surgery; Memory; Outcomes
• ISSN: 1525-5050; 1525-5069
• DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2013.03.001

Knowledge about long-term psychosocial outcome of temporal lobe resection (TLR) for epilepsy is limited. The aims of this study were to describe vocational outcome 10years after TLR and to analyze the effect on the vocational situation by seizures, laterality of resection, verbal memory, and mood. Fifty-one patients were prospectively followed 10years after TLR. Psychosocial and neuropsychological data were ascertained at baseline and 10years after surgery and at corresponding time points for 23 controls. Fewer patients worked 10years post-operatively compared with controls (TLR patients: 61% and controls: 96%). However, seizure-free patients were more likely to retain employment (71%) than patients who had seizures (41%). The odds of working full-time were 9.5 times higher for patients with seizure freedom than for those with continuing seizures. There were no associations between working at 10years and side of resection or mood, and impairment of verbal memory did not have an influence on vocational outcome. •We described vocational outcome 10years after TLR for epilepsy.•Psychosocial and memory data was ascertained for 51 patients and 23 controls.•Seizure-free patients were more likely to retain employment.•The odds of working full time were 9.5 times higher with seizure freedom.•Verbal memory did not have an influence on vocational outcome.