Psychosocial problems and seizure-related factors in children with epilepsy

Abstract

In this study we describe psychosocial functions and seizurerelated factors in a population-based sample of children with epilepsy. Psychosocial problems (Achenbach scales), cognitive function, and socioeconomic status were studied in 117 children with epilepsy aged between 6 and 13 years (mean age 11y [SD 2y 1mo] and 10y 8mo [SD 2y]; 71 males, 46 females) and in randomly selected controls matched with 117 children for sex and age (mean age 11y 2mo [SD 2y 1mo] and 10y 5mo [SD 2y 4mo]; 69 males, 48 females). The children had partial (n=67), generalized (n=43), or undetermined (n=7) epilepsy syndromes, and partial (n=68), generalized (n=47), or other (n=2) main seizure types. Psychosocial problems were more common among children with epilepsy than controls (odds ratio 5-9) and significantly related to epilepsy syndrome, main seizure type, age at onset, and seizure frequency. Mothers and teachers reported males with epilepsy as having more problems than females. Females self-reported psychosocial problems, males did not. Psychosocial problems were common in childhood epilepsy. Females appreciated the problems more realistically than males. Psychosocial problems should be considered an integral part of epilepsy management.

Mental health problems in children and adolescents referred to a national epilepsy center

“…The classical community-based Isle of Wight study demonstrated higher rates of behavioral problems in children with uncomplicated epilepsy (29%) than children with other chronic non-neurological conditions (12%), and those in the general population (7%) [1,2]. This is in accordance with recent community based studies from Britain [3] and Norway [4,5]. An even higher prevalence, 21%-60%, is found as one moves from community-based samples to hospital-based cohorts [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13].…”

“…However, different informants' ratings of problem behavior in children with somatic diseases may be different from those of healthy children. In a population based study of children with epilepsy, mothers and teachers reported increased problem rates compared to controls, while the adolescents themselves did not [5].…”

Levantamento de problemas comportamentais/emocionais em um ambulatório para adolescentes

“…A study conducted in an outpatient clinic for children and adolescents with obstructive sleep disorders (Uema, Vidal, Fujita, Moreira, & Pignatari, 2006) reported that one quarter presented externalizing disorders. Children and adolescents with epilepsy presented more behavioral and emotional problems than the control group, especially the boys (Høie et al, 2006). Zashikhina and Hagglof (2007) found similar results when studying adolescents with chronic diseases, especially girls with asthma and boys with epilepsy.…”

Psychosocial Correlates of Depression in Children and Adolescents with Epilepsy in a Nigeria Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital

“…The risk for psychiatric disorders in people with epilepsy have been reported to be three to six times higher than observed in age matched apparently healthy population [1,15,18]. It has also been documented that children and adolescents with epilepsy experience more emotional and behavioural problems than healthy controls and others with chronic conditions [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26].…”

“…Both epilepsy and depression are characterized by a chronic course and poor long-term psychosocial outcome [2]. Authors have identified psychiatric syndromes such as anxiety, depression, and behavioural affective and conversion disorders in people with epilepsy [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]. The risk for psychiatric disorders in people with epilepsy have been reported to be three to six times higher than observed in age matched apparently healthy population [1,15,18].…”