Predictors of meaningful improvement in quality of life after selective amygdalohippocampectomy in Chinese patients with refractory temporal lobe epilepsy: A prospective study

Abstract Purpose Our aim was to determine the independent predictors of minimum clinically important difference (MCID) in quality of life (QOL) after selective amygdalohippocampectomy (SAH) among Chinese patients with refractory mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE). Methods We conducted a prospective study and enrolled 50 consecutive patients with refractory MTLE who underwent SAH after their presurgical evaluations. The variables independently associated with MCID in the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory-31 (QOLIE-31) overall score 1 year after SAH were analyzed by multiple binary logistic regression analysis. Results Significant improvements in the QOLIE-31 overall score and all subscale scores were observed after SAH (p  Conclusions Presurgical depression, cognitive function, and postsurgical seizure freedom are independent predictors for meaningful improvement in QOL after SAH among the Chinese patients with refractory MTLE. Preoperative evaluation of patients with refractory MTLE should consider the cognitive dysfunction and psychological disorders.