Assessment of Drug Adherence and Quality of Life in Epilepsy Patients at a Neurological Clinic in Ogun State

Seizure control in epilepsy depends on consistent adherence to antiepileptic drugs, and poor adherence remains a leading cause of preventable seizure recurrence in Nigerian patients. This study assessed drug adherence and health-related quality of life among epilepsy patients at the neurology outpatient clinic of a tertiary hospital in Sagamu, Ogun State, South West Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 adult epilepsy patients on antiepileptic drug therapy for at least six months. Adherence was measured using the Medication Adherence Rating Scale, and quality of life was assessed using the validated QOLIE-31 instrument. Results showed that 54.0 percent of patients had poor adherence. Among those with poor adherence, breakthrough seizure occurrence was significantly higher (73.5 percent versus 36.8 percent in adherent patients; p < 0.001). Mean QOLIE-31 total score was significantly lower in non-adherent patients (44.6 versus 61.2; p < 0.001). Barriers to adherence included drug cost (57.3 percent of non-adherent patients), stigma (49.3 percent), and adverse effects of sedation and cognitive blunting (38.7 percent). Use of herbal remedies as an alternative to antiepileptic drugs was reported by 24.7 percent. The study recommends pharmacist-led counselling on antiepileptic drug adherence, community epilepsy stigma reduction programmes, and government subsidisation of antiepileptic drugs as priority interventions to improve seizure control and quality of life. Keywords: epilepsy, antiepileptic drugs, medication adherence, quality of life, Ogun State