Browsing by Author "Ozkara, Cigdem"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2

Citation - WoS: 71
Citation - Scopus: 75
A Comparative Study of Health Related Quality of Life, Psychological Well-Being, Impact of Illness and Stigma in Epilepsy and Migraine
(W B Saunders Co Ltd, 2011) Aydemir, Nuran; Ozkara, Cigdem; Unsal, Pinar; Canbeyli, Resit
This study aimed to show the difference of epilepsy from another chronic neurological disorder with episodic manifestations (CDEM): migraine. Seventy persons with epilepsy (PWE), 56 persons with migraine (PWM) and 45 healthy control participants (HCs) were included. The groups were compared in terms of demographics, quality of life, depression and self-esteem. The PWE and PWM were also compared with regard to stigma, impact of the illness, disclosure, application of spiritual/traditional healing methods, limitations, most affected life areas, and restrictions. Results showed that the PWM had lower quality of life values than the PWE and the HCs, while there was no difference among the groups in depression and self-esteem. Results also show higher unemployment levels and lower marriage rates for the PWE, where education levels were equal. Although the PWM had higher impact of illness values, the PWE were shown to have higher stigma, more concealment behavior, and higher traditional/spiritual healing application ratios. Also, the PWM emphasized the importance of being able to fulfil daily living, social and work activities, while the PWE emphasized the need for independence constantly. These results indicate that, although both migraine and epilepsy are CDEMs, they have different levels of impact on patients' lives. The impacts are socially greater in epilepsy and extend beyond the neurological condition itself. (C) 2011 British Epilepsy Association. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Citation - WoS: 17
Level of Knowledge About and Attitude Toward, and Sources of Information About Epilepsy
(Kare Publ, 2011) Aydemir, Nuran; Unsal, Pinar; Ozkara, Cigdem
Objectives: To determine the level of knowledge about and attitude toward and sources of information about epilepsy. Methods: Seventy individuals with epilepsy (IWE) and 56 control participants (CPs) received Epilepsy Knowledge Scale, Epilepsy Attitude Scale and information forms which required answers to related open-ended questions. Results: There was a significant difference between the initial and current amount of epilepsy knowledge of the IWE. The IWE evaluate their epilepsy knowledge as adequate more than CPs, however as general, both groups stated inadequate epilepsy knowledge. Also, the IWE had more knowledge about epilepsy, but there was no difference in the attitudes toward epilepsy between IWE and CPs. The most frequently reported source of information by IWE was doctors and other health staff, and family and acquaintances by CPs. Conclusion: The level of knowledge about epilepsy was increasing with the passage of time among the IWE. As the most cited source of information, health staff have an important role in providing information to IWE. The study also indicates the need of national campaigns in order to increase the knowledge of epilepsy and create more favorable attitudes toward epilepsy.