Impulsive characteristics of temporal lobe epilepsy and influencing factors

Objective To assess the impulsivity of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy by using the self-report scale and analyze its possible influencing factors. Methods A total of 159 epilepsy patients admitted to our hospital from August 2017 to October 2018 were included and divided into temporal lobe epilepsy group(95 cases) and non-temporal epilepsy group(64 cases). Another 52 healthy people matched in gender, age and years of education were selected as controls during the same period. Cognitive assessment was performed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment(MoCA) and impulsivity assessment was performed using the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale(BIS-11) and the Dickman Impulsivity Inventory(DII). Factors that might influence the impulsivity of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy were analyzed. Results The total score of BIS-11 in temporal lobe epilepsy group was significantly higher than that in the control group(66.3±10.2 vs 62.1±10.3, P < 0.05). In terms of DII, the two epilepsy groups had lower functional impulsivity scores(4.9±2.8, 4.5±2.6 vs 6.2±2.5, P < 0.05) and higher dysfunctional impulsivity scores(4.3±3.0, 5.3±3.3 vs 3.0±2.9, P < 0.05) than the control group. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that age, gender, education years, onset age, seizure frequency, seizure types, drugs, and cognition were all influential factors of impulsivity in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy(all P < 0.05). Conclusion BIS-11 total score increases in the temporal lobe epilepsy group. Both the temporal lobe epilepsy group and the non-temporal lobe epilepsy group show an increase in dysfunctional impulsivity and decrease in functional impulsivity. Age, gender, education years, onset age, seizure frequency, seizure types, number of drugs used, and cognition are all influential factors of impulsivity in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy