Abstract Background Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder influenced not only by pharmacological management but also by modifiable lifestyle factors such as sleep habits, screen exposure, stress, and diet. However, real-world evidence integrating these variables remains limited. This observational study aimed to assess the relationship between sleep patterns, screen exposure, other daily lifestyle factors and seizure count in patients with epilepsy. Results Ninety patients (49 males, 41 females; mean age 31.1 ± 10.7 years) with focal and generalized epilepsy , classified according to the ILAE 2017 classification were included in a questionnaire-based observational cross-sectional study, with seizure count recorded at one and three months after baseline assessment. Seizure count showed significant associations with several lifestyle factors. Consistent sleep schedules, longer sleep duration, and higher subjective sleep quality were correlated with better seizure control ( P < 0.001). Conversely, frequent night awakenings, feeling unrefreshed upon waking, and high stress levels were linked to increased seizure count ( P < 0.01). Poor family support and skipping meals were also significantly associated with worse seizure outcomes ( P < 0.01). Caffeine consumption showed a weak but statistically significant association with seizure count ( P < 0.05), while cigarette intake showed no significant effect. No relationship was observed between seizure count and screen exposure variables, including daily and evening screen time, use in bed, or duration before sleep. Conclusion This study highlights that modifiable lifestyle factors, particularly those related to sleep quality and regularity, stress management, family support, and meal consistency, play a pivotal role in seizure control among patients with epilepsy. Routine screening and counseling regarding these factors should be integrated into epilepsy care to complement pharmacological therapy. Screen exposure did not demonstrate a direct effect on seizure count, suggesting its influence may be indirect through sleep disruption. Encouraging consistent sleep–wake patterns, regular meals, and stress reduction may represent simple yet effective behavioral strategies to enhance seizure control and overall quality of life in epilepsy patients.
Gerges et al. (Mon,) studied this question.