Social support and the burden of physical and psychiatric comorbidities in the patients with late-onset epilepsy in China: A cross-sectional study

Introduction: Epilepsy is the third most common neurological disorder in elderly people. Patients with epilepsy (PWEs) are more likely to have comorbidities. Social support is very important for PWEs. However, there are many gaps in the research on social support in older PWEs, especially the correlation between social support and comorbidities. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in three hospitals in China. Social support was assessed using the Social Support Rate Scale. The burden of physical comorbidities was assessed using the CCI, and global disability was assessed using the mRS. The NDDIE was used to assess depression, the GAD7 was used for anxiety, the CDR was used for cognitive status, and the NPI was used for psychotic symptoms. Results: A total of 154 older PWEs participated in the study. There were 97 patients with at least one physical comorbidities. The burden of physical comorbidities was negatively correlated with overall social support (Adj. r =-0.35, P < 0.001) and global disability (Adj. r =-0.45, P < 0.001). In terms of psychiatric comorbidities, anxiety, depression, and cognitive status were not correlated with overall social support (Adj. r =-0.03,-0.02, and-0.11, P > 0.05). Psychotic symptoms were correlated with overall social support (Adj. r =-0.20, P < 0.05). The overall burden of psychiatric comorbidities was associated with overall social support (r = 0.30, P < 0.01). Discussion: Neurologists and social workers should consider more personalized biopsychosocial care to improve the quality of life of older PWEs.