TABLE 3.
Variables associated with reported stable or improved versus worsened seizure control during the COVID‐19 pandemic
| Variable | Patients who reported no change or improved seizure control, n = 146 | Patients who reported worsened seizure control, n = 31 | P |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age, median y | 48, IQR = 25 | 44, IQR = 11 | .231 |
| Gender, female | 67.1%, n = 98 | 66.7%, n = 22 | .840 |
| Race/ethnicity | 40.4% Hispanic, n = 59; 19.9% Black/African American, n = 29; 11% White/Caucasian, n = 16; 1.4% Asian, n = 2; 13.4% other, n = 20; 13.4% not answered, n = 20 | 51.6% Hispanic, n = 16; 22.6% Black/African American, n = 7; 3.2% White/Caucasian, n = 1; 0% Asian, n = 0; 16.3% other, n = 5; 6.5% not answered, n = 2 | .542 |
| Duration of epilepsy, median y | 16, IQR = 26 | 12, IQR = 9 | .062 |
| Epilepsy type | |||
| Focal | 78.1%, n = 114 | 87.1%, n = 27 | .524 |
| Generalized | 11.6%, n = 17 | 6.5%, n = 2 | |
| Unknown | 10.3%, n = 15 | 6.5%, n = 2 | |
| Intractable epilepsy | 44.5%, n = 65 | 61.3%, n = 19 | .089 |
| Number of antiseizure medications, median | 1, IQR = 1 | 2, IQR = 1 | .178 |
| Median average monthly seizure rate | |||
| 2019 | 0, IQR = 0.25, range = 0‐≥10 | 0.5, IQR = 2.42, range = 0‐≥10 | <.001 |
| Jan & Feb 2020 | 0, IQR = 0, range = 0‐≥10 | 0.5, IQR = 3.1, range = 0‐≥10 | <.001 |
| Mar, Apr, May 2020 | 0, IQR = 0, range = 0‐7.5 | 2, IQR = 6, range = 0‐≥10 | <.001 |
| Presumed COVID‐19, reported no change in seizure control during acute infection | 9.6%, n = 14 | 12.9%, n = 4 | .829 |
| Typical seizure triggers | |||
| Stress | 26.0%, n = 38 | 54.8%, n = 17 | .002 |
| Poor sleep | 10.3%, n = 15 | 22.6%, n = 7 | .059 |
| Headache/migraine | 5.5%, n = 8 | 19.4%, n = 6 | .009 |
| Infection | 2.1%, n = 3 | 6.5%, n = 2 | .180 |
| Missed medications | 19.2%, n = 28 | 12.9%, n = 4 | .410 |
| Menstrual cycle/period | 3.4%, n = 5 | 9.7%, n = 3 | .128 |
| Other | 19.2%, n = 28 | 22.6%, n = 7 | .666 |
| I have no clear triggers | 37.7%, n = 55 | 22.6%, n = 7 | .110 |
| Believe fear of getting COVID‐19 worsened seizures | 5.5%, n = 8 | 61.3%, n = 19 | <.001 |
| Increased/worsened stress due to the COVID‐19 pandemic | 50%, n = 73 | 80.6%, n = 25 | .002 |
| Worse sleep due to the COVID‐19 pandemic | 41.8%, n = 61 | 48.4%, n = 15 | .275 |
| Worse epilepsy care during the COVID‐19 pandemic | 12.3%, n = 18 | 38.7%, n = 12 | <.001 |
| Difficulty obtaining antiseizure medications | 7.5%, n = 11 | 19.4%, n = 6 | .042 |
| Patient canceled a Neurology appointment | 20.5%, n = 30 | 9.7%, n = 3 | .369 |
| Neurologist canceled an appointment | 26%, n = 38 | 35.5%, n = 11 | .528 |
| Completed a neurology live video visit | 21.9%, n = 32 | 25.8%, n = 8 | .735 |
| Effective way to get epilepsy care: yes | 75%, n = 24/32 | 50%, n = 4/8 | .243 |
| Completed a neurology telephone visit | 60.3%, n = 88 | 58.1%, n = 18 | .596 |
| Effective way to get epilepsy care: yes | 77.3%, n = 68/88 | 66.7%, n = 12/18 | .626 |