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Idowu J, Meades C, Cross JH, Muggeridge A, Lakhanpaul M, Robinson K, Sherar LB, Pearson N, Reilly C. Mental health in secondary school-aged children with epilepsy and their primary caregivers: A case control study. Seizure 2024; 120:150-156. [PMID: 38996573 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2024.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To describe the prevalence and associated factors of mental health problems in secondary school-aged (11-16 years) children with epilepsy and their primary caregivers compared to a control group without epilepsy. METHODS Children with epilepsy (n = 60), controls (n = 49), and caregivers (n = 60 epilepsy and n = 49 control group) completed a measure of the child's mental health (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire; SDQ). Primary caregivers in both groups completed a measure of their own mental health (Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21; DASS-21). Factors associated with child and caregiver mental health in the epilepsy group were explored using linear regression. RESULTS There were no significant differences between the epilepsy and control group regarding age, gender, ethnicity and socioeconomic status. A higher proportion of children with epilepsy scored in the at-risk range on the SDQ indicating more mental health problems than the control group, as reported by the children (45% vs. 24 %) (p = 0.026) and caregivers (52% vs. 14 %) (p < 0.001). Primary caregivers of children with epilepsy had more symptoms of depression (p = 0.001), anxiety (p = 0.028) and stress (p = 0.019) than caregivers in the control group. Children with epilepsy with greater motor coordination problems had greater mental health difficulties. Children with epilepsy with more mental health difficulties had caregivers with more difficulties and caregivers of children with earlier onset of seizures had more mental health difficulties. CONCLUSIONS Epilepsy confers a high risk for mental health problems in adolescents and their primary caregivers. There is a need to better understand the relationship between caregiver and child mental health difficulties in epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Idowu
- Research Department, Young Epilepsy, Lingfield, Surrey RH7 6PW, UK
| | - C Meades
- Research Department, Young Epilepsy, Lingfield, Surrey RH7 6PW, UK
| | - J H Cross
- Research Department, Young Epilepsy, Lingfield, Surrey RH7 6PW, UK; UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health (ICH), 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH UK; Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, Great Ormond Street, London WC1N 3JH, UK
| | - A Muggeridge
- Research Department, Young Epilepsy, Lingfield, Surrey RH7 6PW, UK
| | - M Lakhanpaul
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health (ICH), 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH UK; Whittington Health NHS Trust, Magdala Avenue, London N19 5NF, UK
| | - K Robinson
- Whittington Health NHS Trust, Magdala Avenue, London N19 5NF, UK
| | - L B Sherar
- School of Sport Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, LE11 3TU UK
| | - N Pearson
- School of Sport Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, LE11 3TU UK
| | - C Reilly
- Research Department, Young Epilepsy, Lingfield, Surrey RH7 6PW, UK; UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health (ICH), 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH UK.
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Furones García M, García Peñas JJ, González Alguacil E, Moreno Cantero T, Ruiz Falcó ML, Cantarín Extremera V, Soto Insuga V. Sleep disorders in children with epilepsy. Neurologia 2024; 39:219-225. [PMID: 38307413 DOI: 10.1016/j.nrleng.2024.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Children with epilepsy present greater prevalence of sleep disorders than the general population. Their diagnosis is essential, since epilepsy and sleep disorders have a bidirectional relationship. OBJECTIVE Determine the incidence of sleep disorders and poor sleep habits in children with epilepsy. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study of patients under 18 years of age with epilepsy, assessing sleep disorders using the Spanish-language version of the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC), and sleep habits using an original questionnaire. RESULTS The sample included 153 patients. Eighty-four percent of our sample presented some type of sleep alteration. The most frequent alterations were sleep-wake transition disorders (53%), sleep initiation and maintenance disorders (47.7%), and daytime sleepiness (44.4%). In 70% of cases, the patients' parents reported that their child "slept well," although sleep disorders were detected in up to 75.7% of these patients. Many patients had poor sleep habits, such as using electronic devices in bed (16.3%), requiring the presence of a family member to fall asleep (39%), or co-sleeping or sharing a room (23.5% and 30.5%, respectively). Those with generalised epilepsy, refractory epilepsy, nocturnal seizures, and intellectual disability were more likely to present sleep disorders. In contrast, poor sleep habits were frequent regardless of seizure characteristics. CONCLUSIONS Sleep disorders and poor sleep habits are common in children with epilepsy. Their treatment can lead to an improvement in the quality of life of the patient and his/her family, as well as an improvement in the prognosis of epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - M L Ruiz Falcó
- Hospital Niño Jesús. Departamento de Neurología, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - V Soto Insuga
- Hospital Niño Jesús. Departamento de Neurología, Madrid, Spain
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3
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Sarlo GL, Haughton T, Rizakos E, Merwin S, Havens KA, Pasupuleti A, Gaillard WD, Berl MM. Comparison of psychosocial screeners in an epilepsy clinic. Epilepsy Behav 2023; 148:109452. [PMID: 37797485 PMCID: PMC10842982 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2023.109452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Screenings are recommended for co-occurring conditions in pediatric epilepsy. However, there is limited research regarding which screener to implement in the clinic. This study aimed to compare different screening measures for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and emotional concerns in a pediatric epilepsy population during a routine neurology clinic visit. Fifty (22%) of 226 contacted parents of children with epilepsy ages 5-17 years old agreed to participate. Screening measures included the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ; Hyperactivity/Inattention (ADHD), Emotional Problems (E) subscales), the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Epilepsy Module (PedsQL-EM; Executive Functioning (EF), Mood/Behavior (M/B) subscales), and the ADHD Rating Scale (ADHD-RS). Analyses comparing measures included Chi Square, Pearson's correlation, and agreement statistics (Cohen's kappa, overall agreement). Consistent with prior literature, positive screening rates ranged from 40% to 72% for ADHD concerns and 38% to 46% for emotional concerns. Agreement between measures ranged from fair to substantial, with the highest agreement (85%; κ = 0.70) between the SDQ-E and PedsQL-EM-M/B. Although all measures rendered positive screens within expected rates, there are differences among the measures that inform screening measure selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle L Sarlo
- Center for Neuroscience, Children's National Research Institute, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Taylor Haughton
- Center for Neuroscience and Behavioral Health CNH, George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Eleni Rizakos
- Center for Neuroscience and Behavioral Health CNH, George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Stephanie Merwin
- Center for Neuroscience and Behavioral Health CNH, George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Kathryn A Havens
- Center for Neuroscience, Children's National Research Institute, Washington, DC, United States; Center for Neuroscience and Behavioral Health CNH, George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Archana Pasupuleti
- Center for Neuroscience and Behavioral Health CNH, George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - William D Gaillard
- Center for Neuroscience, Children's National Research Institute, Washington, DC, United States; Center for Neuroscience and Behavioral Health CNH, George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Madison M Berl
- Center for Neuroscience, Children's National Research Institute, Washington, DC, United States; Center for Neuroscience and Behavioral Health CNH, George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States.
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Robert de Saint Vincent M, Rouger V, Rozé JC, Flamant C, Muller JB. Assessing Behavioral Disorders with SDQ in Very Preterm Children at 5 Years of Age in LIFT Cohort. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:1191. [PMID: 37508688 PMCID: PMC10378436 DOI: 10.3390/children10071191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preterm-born children are at risk of behavioral disorders and the systematic assessment of these disorders remains a challenge. Questions remain about the accuracy of self-reported parent questionnaires and the real everyday life behavior of the child. AIM To evaluate the association between SDQ reported by parents in the preterm and behavioral difficulties in the everyday school life environment reported by teacher. METHODS All children born before 33 weeks and who followed-up in the LIFT (Loire Infant Follow-up team) network were included. The Strengths and Difficulties Parental Questionnaire (SDQ), completed at 5 years, was used to check for behavioral difficulties and identified three groups: "normal", "borderline" and "abnormal". Then, the SDQ results were compared to the Global School Adaptation Score (GSA) at 5 years. RESULTS Out of the 1825 children followed in the cohort at the age of 5, 1397 questionnaires were analyzed. A total of 11.1% of children had an abnormal score, and 9.7% had a borderline score. Male gender and a lower birth weight z-score were significantly associated with the "abnormal SDQ" group. There is a significant relationship between the probability of being in the "abnormal SDQ" group at 5 years and with difficulty in global school adaptation at 5 years, as well as an SDQ borderline score in the preterm (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS SDQ abnormal and borderline scores are associated with behavioral difficulties in the classroom and everyday life behavior. In preterm children, one should be alerted even by a borderline SDQ score.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marine Robert de Saint Vincent
- Department of Neonatal Medicine, University Hospital of Nantes, 44000 Nantes, France
- Loire Infant Follow-Up Team (LIFT) Network, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Valérie Rouger
- Loire Infant Follow-Up Team (LIFT) Network, 44000 Nantes, France
- National Institute of Health and Medical Research, CIC 1413, University Hospital of Nantes, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Jean Christophe Rozé
- Department of Neonatal Medicine, University Hospital of Nantes, 44000 Nantes, France
- Loire Infant Follow-Up Team (LIFT) Network, 44000 Nantes, France
- National Institute of Health and Medical Research, CIC 1413, University Hospital of Nantes, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Cyril Flamant
- Department of Neonatal Medicine, University Hospital of Nantes, 44000 Nantes, France
- Loire Infant Follow-Up Team (LIFT) Network, 44000 Nantes, France
- National Institute of Health and Medical Research, CIC 1413, University Hospital of Nantes, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Jean-Baptiste Muller
- Department of Neonatal Medicine, University Hospital of Nantes, 44000 Nantes, France
- Loire Infant Follow-Up Team (LIFT) Network, 44000 Nantes, France
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Furones García M, García Peñas JJ, González Alguacil E, Moreno Cantero T, Ruiz Falcó ML, Cantarín Extremera V, Soto Insuga V. Sleep disorders in children with epilepsy. Neurologia 2021:S0213-4853(21)00114-6. [PMID: 34518025 DOI: 10.1016/j.nrl.2021.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Children with epilepsy present greater prevalence of sleep disorders than the general population. Their diagnosis is essential, since epilepsy and sleep disorders have a bidirectional relationship. OBJECTIVE Determine the incidence of sleep disorders and poor sleep habits in children with epilepsy. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study of patients under 18 years of age with epilepsy, assessing sleep disorders using the Spanish-language version of the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC), and sleep habits using an original questionnaire. RESULTS The sample included 153 patients. Eighty-four percent of our sample presented some type of sleep alteration. The most frequent alterations were sleep-wake transition disorders (53%), sleep initiation and maintenance disorders (47.7%), and daytime sleepiness (44.4%). In 70% of cases, the patients' parents reported that their child "slept well," although sleep disorders were detected in up to 75.7% of these patients. Many patients had poor sleep habits, such as using electronic devices in bed (16.3%), requiring the presence of a family member to fall asleep (39%), or co-sleeping or sharing a room (23.5% and 30.5%, respectively). Those with generalised epilepsy, refractory epilepsy, nocturnal seizures, and intellectual disability were more likely to present sleep disorders. In contrast, poor sleep habits were frequent regardless of seizure characteristics. CONCLUSIONS Sleep disorders and poor sleep habits are common in children with epilepsy. Their treatment can lead to an improvement in the quality of life of the patient and his/her family, as well as an improvement in the prognosis of epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Furones García
- Hospital Niño Jesús. Departamento de Neurología, Madrid, España.
| | | | | | | | - M L Ruiz Falcó
- Hospital Niño Jesús. Departamento de Neurología, Madrid, España
| | | | - V Soto Insuga
- Hospital Niño Jesús. Departamento de Neurología, Madrid, España
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Wagner JL, Modi AC, Guilfoyle SM, Junger KF, Weyand C, Smith G, Griffin M, Mucci G. Current behavioral health and cognitive screening practices in pediatric epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav 2019; 101:106214. [PMID: 31680024 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2019.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Revised: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Initiatives such as the Epilepsy Learning Healthcare System continue to advocate for standardized care and shared outcome data. Therefore, the current project aim was to gather information from epilepsy healthcare professionals, behavioral health professionals in particular, regarding their behavioral health and cognitive screening practices in pediatric patients with epilepsy. Information obtained will be used to assist in the development of new educational programs and platforms in the American Epilepsy Society (AES) and to inform the development of guidelines for behavioral healthcare of patients with pediatric epilepsy. SURVEY INFORMATION Twenty-five AES members representing 25 unique epilepsy programs across the United States participated in the survey. Findings are described in terms of three focus areas: (1) Systems, (2) Assessment, and (3) Intervention. Over 80% of respondents surveyed reported that they do conduct formal screenings, most commonly to determine if further evaluation is indicated (81%), inform treatment decisions (57.1%), and for developmental surveillance (33.3%). Assessment methods were fairly evenly split between nonstandardized informal questions (50%) and evidence-based broadband measures, with the Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC), 2nd or 3rd Editions (40%) most commonly used. If behavioral health concerns are identified, referrals are often made for psychotherapy (48% in-house; 80% community-based), psychiatry (68% in-house; 48% community-based), and cognitive testing (88% neuropsychological testing; 36% for psychoeducational testing). Thirty-two percent refer for psychotropic medication management. CONCLUSION According to this survey, a number of epilepsy centers and clinics incorporate behavioral health screening; however, there is significant variability in assessments/measures used, who is administering them, and their purpose in the trajectory of treatment. These findings emphasize the need for standardization across centers in order to most effectively provide comprehensive care for youth with epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Avani C Modi
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Shanna M Guilfoyle
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Katherine F Junger
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | | | - Gigi Smith
- Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Millie Griffin
- Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Grace Mucci
- Children's Hospital of Orange County, Orange, CA, USA
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Graham L, Gossell-Williams M, Tapper J, Melbourne-Chambers R. Sleep disorders and behavioral disorders in Jamaican children with epilepsy: A case-control study. Epilepsy Behav 2019; 99:106477. [PMID: 31425974 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2019.106477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Children with epilepsy (CWE) are more likely to have sleep and behavioral disorders. With differences in reports, the aim was to evaluate sleep and behavior in Jamaican CWE and determine any association with epilepsy-related variables. Children with epilepsy were identified along with age and gender-matched controls from the University Hospital of the West Indies and the Bustamante Hospital for Children. Written informed consent was obtained followed by the completion of questionnaires assessing sleep, behavior, and background of both cases and controls. Parents of 61 children (26 cases and 35 controls) participated in the study. There was no difference in sleep scores or frequency of sleep disorders between cases and controls (p > 0.05). Children with epilepsy had worse scores than controls in peer problems (3.85 vs 2.32, p < 0.01), internal problems (7.42 vs 4.71, p < 0.01), and total behavioral problem (16.27 vs 12.09, p < 0.01). When compared with controls, CWE had a higher frequency of abnormal peer problems (66% vs 32%, p < 0.05) and emotional problems score (42% vs 15%, p < 0.05). Children with learning difficulty were three times more likely to have abnormal behavioral score Odds Ratio (OR) = 3.818, p < 0.05). Jamaican CWE have similar sleep scores to their healthy peers but have a higher frequency of peer and emotional problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leohrandra Graham
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston, Jamaica.
| | - Maxine Gossell-Williams
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston, Jamaica
| | - Judy Tapper
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston, Jamaica; Neurology Department, Bustamante Hospital for Children, Kingston, Jamaica
| | - Roxanne Melbourne-Chambers
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston, Jamaica; Paediatric Neurology Department, University Hospital of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica
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Skoczeń I, Rogoza R, Maćkiewicz M, Najderska M, Cieciuch J. Investigating the Structural Model of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT 2018. [DOI: 10.1027/1015-5759/a000344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Abstract. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) aims to assess problems in the psychological adjustment of children and youths. In this paper, we present results from an analysis of the structure of the SDQ. Data were collected from a community sample of 582 children and adolescents aged 10–19 years in Poland. The results showed that the bi-factor model yielded a good fit to the data. Out of five original SDQ factors, only emotional symptoms and prosocial behavior scales were distinguished from the general factor of difficulties. Additionally, two independent facets that concerned the characteristics of unsettlement and cautiousness have been extracted from the hyperactivity and conduct scales. The achieved structure differs from the theoretically assumed structure, but the findings are consistent with the Circumplex of Personality Metatraits (CPM), which was adapted to interpret the results. Moreover, with the help of the CPM, an additional difficulty that can be introduced to the model was identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilona Skoczeń
- Institute of Psychology, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, Poland
| | - Radosław Rogoza
- Institute of Psychology, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marta Maćkiewicz
- Institute of Psychology, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Jan Cieciuch
- Institute of Psychology, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, Poland
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Bjereld Y, Daneback K, Gunnarsdóttir H, Petzold M. Mental health problems and social resource factors among bullied children in the Nordic countries: a population based cross-sectional study. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 2015; 46:281-8. [PMID: 24807643 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-014-0468-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
This study estimated internalising and externalising mental health problems among bullied-, unclear if bullied- and not bullied children aged 4-16 in the Nordic countries, and identified resource factors to bullied children's mental health. Data comes from the cross-sectional NordChild survey 2011 and the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire, including 6,214 children in the analyses. Mental health problems were most prevalent among children parent-reported as bullied (29.2-44.3 %), followed by children with unclear status if bullied (13.0-25.6 %) and not bullied children (5.3-7.9 %). Externalising problems were more prevalent in all groups except among bullied girls aged 7-16, where internalising problems were more prevalent. Ten potential resource factors to bullied children's mental health were analyzed, finding that (1) children with at least three close friends had higher odds to be mentally healthy than children with fewer close friends and (2) bullied boys had higher odds to be mentally healthy if they regularly practiced sport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ylva Bjereld
- Nordic School of Public Health NHV, Box 121 33, 402 42, Gothenburg, Sweden,
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10
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Kourkounasiou MA, Skordilis EK. Validity and Reliability Evidence of the TOCA–C in a Sample of Greek Students. Psychol Rep 2014; 115:766-83. [DOI: 10.2466/08.11.pr0.115c31z5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Validity and reliability evidence of the Teacher Observation of Classroom Adaptation–Checklist (TOCA–C) was examined in 186 Greek students through exploratory factor analysis, divergent and concurrent validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability. The TOCA–C showed a high internal consistency for the three factors of Concentration Problems, Disruptive/Aggressive Behaviour, and Prosocial Behaviour (αs = .89−.96), and acceptable two-week test-retest reliability. The three-factor solution explained 74.50% of the total variance. Regarding divergent validity, a significant Sex × Disability interaction was evident for Disruptive Behaviour, with women scoring higher in ‘special’ and lower in ‘general’ schools compared to men. Main effects were significant across disability, but not across sex. Correlations with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire suggested convergent and divergent validity evidence. The TOCA–C should be useful in testing Greek students with and without disabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A. Kourkounasiou
- School of Physical Education and Sport Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
| | - Emmanouil K. Skordilis
- School of Physical Education and Sport Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
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11
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Reilly C, Atkinson P, Das KB, Chin RF, Aylett SE, Burch V, Gillberg C, Scott RC, Neville BGR. Screening for mental health disorders in active childhood epilepsy: population-based data. Epilepsy Res 2014; 108:1917-26. [PMID: 25454504 DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2014.09.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2014] [Revised: 09/15/2014] [Accepted: 09/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children with epilepsy are at increased risk for behavioral and psychiatric disorders and it has been recommended that all children with epilepsy be screened for such conditions. There is thus a need to identify appropriate screening measures in this population. METHODS Children with active epilepsy (on AEDs and/or had a seizure in the last year) with an IQ>34 (n=69) were screened for behavioral/psychiatric disorders using the parent and teacher versions of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) in a population-based sample. Consensus clinical diagnoses were made with respect to DSM-IV-TR data. Parent and teacher responses on the SDQ total and subscales were compared using paired samples t-tests and Pearson's correlation. The screening properties of the SDQ were explored. Regression using generalized estimating equations was used to identify predictors of responses on the SDQ. RESULTS 62% of children received a DSM-IV-TR diagnosis. On the total SDQ score the number of children identified at risk by parents (61%) was higher than the number identified by teachers (43%). Mean parent scores were significantly higher than teacher scores on the SDQ Conduct and Hyperactive subscales and total score after Bonferroni correction (adjusted alpha p<.007). Sensitivity and specificity of the SDQ total score were maximized by combining parent and teacher responses. The positive predictive values (PPVs) were much higher for the total score than the specific subscales suggesting that while the SDQ total score has good predictive ability the specific scales are less useful. Respondent (i.e., parent and teacher) was a significant predictor of scores for some but not all subscales. CONCLUSION The SDQ can be considered a promising tool for screening children with active epilepsy provided the total score is used as a screener for the presence of any DSM-IV-TR disorder and multi-informant data are used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin Reilly
- Research Department, Young Epilepsy, Lingfield, Surrey RH7 6PW, UK; Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, University of Gothenburg, Kungsgatan 12, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Patricia Atkinson
- Child Development Centre, Crawley Hospital, West Green Drive, Crawley RH11 7DH, West Sussex, UK
| | - Krishna B Das
- Research Department, Young Epilepsy, Lingfield, Surrey RH7 6PW, UK; Neurosciences Unit, Institute of Child Health, University College London, 4/5 Long Yard, London WC1N 3LU, UK; Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, Great Ormond Street, London WC1N 3JH, UK
| | - Richard F Chin
- Muir Maxwell Epilepsy Centre, Edinburgh Neurosciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Sarah E Aylett
- Neurosciences Unit, Institute of Child Health, University College London, 4/5 Long Yard, London WC1N 3LU, UK; Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, Great Ormond Street, London WC1N 3JH, UK
| | - Victoria Burch
- Research Department, Young Epilepsy, Lingfield, Surrey RH7 6PW, UK
| | - Christopher Gillberg
- Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, University of Gothenburg, Kungsgatan 12, Gothenburg, Sweden; Neurosciences Unit, Institute of Child Health, University College London, 4/5 Long Yard, London WC1N 3LU, UK
| | - Rod C Scott
- College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA; Neurosciences Unit, Institute of Child Health, University College London, 4/5 Long Yard, London WC1N 3LU, UK; Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, Great Ormond Street, London WC1N 3JH, UK
| | - Brian G R Neville
- Research Department, Young Epilepsy, Lingfield, Surrey RH7 6PW, UK; Neurosciences Unit, Institute of Child Health, University College London, 4/5 Long Yard, London WC1N 3LU, UK
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12
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Tanabe T, Kashiwagi M, Shimakawa S, Tamai H, Wakamiya E. Outpatient screening of Japanese children with epilepsy for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD). Brain Dev 2014; 36:301-5. [PMID: 23756293 DOI: 10.1016/j.braindev.2013.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2012] [Revised: 02/15/2013] [Accepted: 05/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The significance of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) score for AD/HD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) screening was assessed in Japanese epileptic children. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Sixty-eight epileptic children were enrolled in this study. Parents were asked to fill out both the SDQ and AD/HD-rating scale (AD/HD-RS) simultaneously. RESULTS The SDQ subscale of hyperactivity showed the highest score. The AD/HD-RS showed higher scores for both inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity. Twenty-two (32.4%) of these subjects were diagnosed as having AD/HD. The SDQ subscale for hyperactivity showed 86.4% sensitivity and 95% specificity, respectively, for detection of AD/HD. All SDQ subscales correlated significantly with inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity scores of the AD/HD-RS. CONCLUSIONS The SDQ is a good screening tool which can contribute to the detection of AD/HD, not only of the hyperactive/impulsive but also the inattentive subtype. Furthermore, the SDQ can elucidate more complicated behavioral problems than the core symptoms of AD/HD that are not noticed in the epilepsy clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Tanabe
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Tanabe-Kadobayashi Children's Clinic, Japan.
| | | | | | - Hiroshi Tamai
- Department of Pediatrics, Osaka Medical College, Japan
| | - Eiji Wakamiya
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Rehabilitations, Aino University, Japan
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