Objective: To review the researches of quality of life in epilepsy and the use of inventory of quality of life in epilepsy in order to provide data for clinical research. Data sources: Using the key terms "quality of life in epilepsy", we searched the MEDLINE database from January 1970 to November 2004 for the relevant articles about epilepsy in English. Meanwhile, using the same key terms in Chinese, we searched Chinese database CNKI from January 1995 to November 2004. Study selection: All the articles were selected firstly, and those articles and reviews relevant to quality of life in epilepsy and the using of inventory on quality of life in epilepsy were collected and the full text was looked up. Data extraction: A total of 13 English and 1 C hinese articles and reviews articles were collected, which were relevant to quality of life in epilepsy. Data synthesis: Recently, researches on quality of life in epilepsy make a great and rapid improvement. The selection of inventory scale is very important in the evaluation of quality of life in epilepsy. However, not all the scales adapt to the situation of our country because of the using range, the advantages and disadvantages of the scales. Therefore, we should pay more attention to the establishment of the suitable inventory on the quality of life in epilepsy in China. Conclusion: The causes influencing quality of life in epilepsy are of multiple factors. The important problem is how to select the suitable inventory to exactly reflect quality of life in epilepsy and guide the clinical treatment of epilepsy.