Academic Journal
[Impact of epilepsy-related stigma on employability: A review of the evidence for primary care practice].
| Title: | [Impact of epilepsy-related stigma on employability: A review of the evidence for primary care practice]. |
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| Transliterated Title: | Impacto del estigma en la empleabilidad de personas con epilepsia: revisión de la evidencia para la práctica en atención primaria. |
| Authors: | Vicente-Herrero MT; Grupo de Investigación ADEMA SALUD, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud (IUNICS), Escuela Valenciana de Estudios de Salud (EVES), Palma de Mallorca, España; Escuela Valenciana de Estudios de Salud (EVES), Valencia, España. Electronic address: vicenteherreromt@gmail.com., Ramírez-Iñiguez de la Torre MV; Servicio de Prevención de Riesgos Laborales Correos, Madrid, España., Capdevila-García L; Servicio de Prevención de Riesgos Laborales, MAPFRE Valencia, Valencia, España., López-González ÁA; Grupo de Investigación ADEMA SALUD, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud (IUNICS), Escuela Universitaria ADEMA, Palma de Mallorca, España., Maisanava Martín CN; Psicología, Centro de Salud Es Viver, Ibiza, España., Ruiz-Flores Bistuer M; Psiquiatría, Unidad de Salud Mental, Ibsalut, UNED, Ibiza, España. |
| Source: | Semergen [Semergen] 2026 Oct; Vol. 52 (7), pp. 102815. Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Jul 20. |
| Publication Type: | Journal Article; Review; English Abstract |
| Language: | Spanish; Castilian |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: Saned, S.A Country of Publication: Spain NLM ID: 9610769 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1578-8865 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 11383593 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Semergen Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Publication: <2000->: Madrid : Elsever España, : Saned, S.A. Original Publication: Madrid : Saned, S.A., [1996- |
| MeSH Terms: | Epilepsy*/psychology , Epilepsy*/drug therapy , Employment*/statistics & numerical data , Employment*/psychology , Quality of Life* , Social Stigma*, Anticonvulsants/adverse effects ; Anticonvulsants/administration & dosage ; Unemployment/statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Primary Health Care ; Absenteeism ; Working Conditions |
| Abstract: | Introduction: Epilepsy is a common chronic neurological disorder that entails a substantial psychosocial and occupational impact mediated by stigma. Available studies show that, compared with the general population, people with epilepsy have higher rates of unemployment, work disability, absenteeism and presenteeism, as well as poorer health-related quality of life. The aim of this study is to analyze the impact of stigma on the employment situation of people with epilepsy and its implications for primary care and occupational medicine. Method: A structured narrative review with critical appraisal of the evidence was conducted in PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, PsycINFO, the Cochrane Library and EMBASE (2006-2025). Studies in adult populations that assessed stigma, employment and quality of life in epilepsy were included. Methodological quality was assessed using SANRA, AMSTAR-2, GRADE and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale complemented by GRADE. Results: Stigma is associated with higher unemployment, early retirement, work disability and poorer quality of life. Seizure frequency, drug-resistant epilepsy, psychiatric comorbidity, low educational level and certain working conditions are related to worse employment outcomes and greater social vulnerability. Concealment of the diagnosis hinders workplace adaptations. Adverse effects of antiseizure medications may affect work performance and safety. Conclusions: Stigma remains a determinant of occupational exclusion in epilepsy. Primary care and occupational medicine play complementary roles in the detection and assessment of stigma and in its management through clinical and psychosocial interventions, individualized workplace accommodations and inclusive employment policies. (Copyright © 2026 Sociedad Española de Médicos de Atención Primaria (SEMERGEN). Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.) |
| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: Atención primaria de salud; Calidad de vida; Empleo; Employment; Epilepsia; Epilepsy; Estigma social; Primary health care; Quality of life; Social stigma |
| Substance Nomenclature: | 0 (Anticonvulsants) |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20260720 Date Completed: 20260926 Latest Revision: 20260926 |
| Update Code: | 20260927 |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.semerg.2026.102815 |
| PMID: | 42476042 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
| ISSN: | 1578-8865 |
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| DOI: | 10.1016/j.semerg.2026.102815 |