Quality of life and perception of global health in epileptic patients seem to have specific traits that differ from other neurologic pathologies. the aim of this study is to analyze possible relationships between neurocognitive impairment and the quality of life and perception of global health in the epileptic patient.

27 consecutive patients from an outpatient neurological clinic were evaluated. Mean age was 42.04 +/− 12,27 years, with a mean of 27,41 +/− 12,25 years from diagnosis of epilepsy. Clinical characteristics were defined by the WHO-ICD 10 and the ILAE classifications and EEG findings were evaluated by an experienced neurologist. Neurocognitive status was measured with the Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) and quality of life and perception of global health throughout two standarized scales (QOLIE-10 and GHQ).

There is a positive correlation between the perception of global health and the quality of life (r = .640; p < .01) and although not statistically significant, a negative correlation between neurocognitive impairment and the perception of global health and the quality of life. Moreover, regression analysis suggest a determinant influence of the perception of global health on the quality of life (beta coefficient: 620; p < 01).

The influence of the perception of global health on the quality of life of epileptic patients is found to be an important factor not to be underestimated in clinical practice; also, cognitive impairment seems to be an important factor that determines the perception of health or disease in those patients.