Psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic for patients with epilepsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Kubota, Takafumi

doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.108340

Cited by 10 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…The COVID-19 epidemic increased the prevalence of mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders in people with epilepsy [33]. During the unprecedented lockdown in Italy, many patients with chronic conditions lost their regular follow-up programs; for this reason, it is crucial to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on this vulnerable cohort [34].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Living with Epilepsy in Adolescence in Italy: Psychological and Behavioral Impact

et al. 2023

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Background: People with epilepsy have a higher prevalence of behavioral and neuropsychiatric comorbidities compared to the general population and those with other chronic medical conditions, although the underlying clinical features remain unclear. The goal of the current study was to characterize behavioral profiles of adolescents with epilepsy, assess the presence of psychopathological disorders, and investigate the reciprocal interactions among epilepsy, psychological functioning, and their main clinical variables. Methods: Sixty-three adolescents with epilepsy were consecutively recruited at the Epilepsy Center, Childhood and Adolescence Neuropsychiatry Unit of Santi Paolo e Carlo hospital in Milan (five of them were excluded) and assessed with a specific questionnaire for psychopathology in adolescence, such as the Questionnaire for the Assessment of Psychopathology in Adolescence (Q-PAD). Q-PAD results were then correlated with the main clinical data. Results: 55.2% (32/58) of patients presented at least one emotional disturbance. Body dissatisfaction, anxiety, interpersonal conflicts, family problems, uncertainty about the future, and self-esteem/well-being disorders were frequently reported. Gender and poor control of seizures are associated with specific emotional features (p < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of screening for emotional distress, recognition of the impairments, and provision of adequate treatment and follow-up. A pathological score on the Q-PAD should always require the clinician to investigate the presence of behavioral disorders and comorbidities in adolescents with epilepsy.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Living with Epilepsy in Adolescence in Italy: Psychological and Behavioral Impact

et al. 2023

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“…This requires creation of effective systems to procure, store and distribute medicines, allowing for home delivery to patients quarantined or otherwise unable to travel. Protected environments should be established to preserve at least a minimum level of hospital visits and in‐patient services. Although telemedicine can greatly facilitate epilepsy management even in non‐emergency settings, efforts should be made to permit continuation of services, such as EEG recordings, video‐EEG monitoring, and epilepsy surgery. Programs should be in place to address the consequences of severe psychological distress, to which PwE are particularly vulnerable in emergency situations such as the COVID‐19 pandemic [30]. Healthcare personnel should be trained to deal with emergency situations, and should be especially protected to ensure continued delivery of services throughout crisis situations. In many countries, shortage of personnel caused by longstanding under‐investment in healthcare resulted in failure to provide essential services during the pandemic.…”

Section: The Covid‐19 Pandemic and Its Influence On Pwementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Programs should be in place to address the consequences of severe psychological distress, to which PwE are particularly vulnerable in emergency situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic [30].…”

Section: Epilepsy During Difficult Timesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epilepsy management during difficult times

Mesraoua¹,

Cross²,

Perucca³

et al. 2022

Epileptic Disorders

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Major disruption in the delivery of healthcare services can occur in exceptional situations such as natural disasters, conflicts, periods of severe economic hardship, and epidemics. These disruptions typically affect to the greatest extent the most vulnerable segments of the population, including people with epilepsy. Inability to access healthcare services can lead to failure to undergo necessary diagnostic investigations, or to receive needed therapeutic interventions, including epilepsy surgery. Stress and other factors associated with the nature or the cause of the disruption can adversely affect seizure control status, or precipitate the occurrence of psychiatric disorders and other comorbid conditions. Failure to access antiseizure medications is a common occurrence in these situations and can result in loss of seizure control, withdrawal seizures, and status epilepticus. In this article, we provide examples of recent disruptions in healthcare and their implications for people with epilepsy. We discuss the consequences of natural disasters, conflicts, economic sanctions, and focus in greater detail on lessons learnt during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also discuss possible mitigation procedures, focusing in particular on the application of telemedicine to epilepsy care. Finally, we underline the need for governments, healthcare authorities, and international organizations to improve their preparedness to deal with exceptional situations that may arise in the future.

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“…Moreover, studies report that PWE are more vulnerable to the psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic than those without epilepsy [18] , [19] , [20] . Although the extent of impact is uncertain, the pandemic has certainly had an impact on the mental health of the general population including patients with epilepsy.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long-term analysis of the effects of COVID-19 in people with epilepsy: Results from a multicenter on-line survey across the pandemic waves

Parodi

Viganò

Ottaviano

et al. 2022

Epilepsy & Behavior

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Psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic for patients with epilepsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Cited by 10 publications

References 55 publications

Living with Epilepsy in Adolescence in Italy: Psychological and Behavioral Impact

Living with Epilepsy in Adolescence in Italy: Psychological and Behavioral Impact

Epilepsy management during difficult times

Long-term analysis of the effects of COVID-19 in people with epilepsy: Results from a multicenter on-line survey across the pandemic waves

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