Impact of the socioeconomic crisis in Lebanon on people with epilepsy

Objective

The economic crisis in Lebanon, which began in 2019, has affected the healthcare system and patients' incomes. The aim of this study was to analyze the obstacles faced by people with epilepsy (PWE) during this crisis and to assess its impact on their quality of life.

Methods

The method used was a cross-sectional study conducted among PWE aged 18–65 years, who were asked to complete a comprehensive questionnaire covering sociodemographic aspects, clinical aspects, the impact of the economic crisis, and the QOLIE-31 (version 1.0), validated in English and Arabic, which assesses the quality of life of PWE.

Results

71 patients were included in the study with an average age of 35.2 years [23.5; 62.5] (53.5% were males). Their average QOLIE-31 score was 50.3 (+/− 17.9). A significant proportion (71%) of patients reported difficulties during the crisis, with 25% reporting having had seizure-related injuries in the years 2022–2023 and 36.6% reporting an increase in seizure frequency compared to that prior to 2020.

Moreover, many patients had to change (33.8%) or discontinue (18.3%) antiseizure medications, due to drug shortages, rising costs, and high gas prices. To mitigate these challenges, patients sought solutions such as obtaining medications from abroad (34%) or through donations (8%) or purchasing from the black market (8%).

Low quality of life was associated with unemployment, low education level, the presence of focal seizures with impaired awareness or generalized seizures, polytherapy, seizure-related injuries, and medication changes during the economic crisis.

Significance

These results highlight the considerable challenges faced by PWE in Lebanon during the economic crisis, emphasizing the negative effect of the crisis on their quality of life and seizure control.

Plain Language Summary

This study analyzed the obstacles faced by 71 people with epilepsy during Lebanon's economic crisis and showed that many patients had to change (33.8%) or discontinue (18.3%) antiseizure medications, due to drug shortages, rising costs, and high gas prices. To mitigate these challenges, patients sought solutions such as obtaining medications from abroad (34%) or through donations (8%) or purchasing from the black market (8%). This affected their quality of life. In fact, low quality of life was associated with unemployment, low education level, focal seizures with impaired awareness or generalized seizures, polytherapy, seizure-related injuries, and medication changes.