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Vacca M, Fernandes M, Veronese L, Ballesio A, Cerminara C, Galasso C, Mazzone L, Lombardo C, Mercuri NB, Liguori C. Clinical, Sociodemographic, and Psychological Factors Associated with Transition Readiness in Patients with Epilepsy. Brain Sci 2023; 14:21. [PMID: 38248236 PMCID: PMC10813513 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14010021] [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: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The transition to adult care for patients with epilepsy is a complicated clinical issue associated with adverse outcomes, including non-adherence to treatment, dropout of medical care, and worse prognosis. Moreover, youngsters with epilepsy are notably prone to emotional, psychological, and social difficulties during the transition to adulthood. Transition needs depend on the type of epilepsy and the epileptic syndrome, as well as on the presence of co-morbidities. Having a structured transition program in place is essential to reduce poor health consequences. A key strategy to optimize outcomes involves the use of transition readiness and associated factors assessment to implement the recognition of vulnerability and protective aspects, knowledge, and skills of these patients and their parents. Therefore, this study aims to provide a comprehensive framework of clinical and psychosocial aspects associated with the transition from pediatric to adult medical care of patients with epilepsy. METHODS Measures examining different aspects of transition readiness and associated clinical, socio-demographic, psychological, and emotional factors were administered to 13 patients with epilepsy (Mage = 22.92, SD = 6.56) with (n = 6) or without (n = 7) rare diseases, and a respective parent (Mage = 56.63, SD = 7.36). RESULTS patients showed fewer problems in tracking health issues, appointment keeping, and pharmacological adherence as well as low mood symptoms and moderate resiliency. Moreover, they referred to a low quality of sleep. Notably, parents of patients with rare diseases reported a lower quality of sleep as compared to the other group of parents. CONCLUSIONS Increasing awareness around transition readiness is essential to promote self-management skills of patients with epilepsy and their parents. Anticipating the period of transition could be beneficial, especially to prevent problematic sleep patterns and promote independence in health care management. Parents of patients with epilepsy and rare diseases should be monitored for their mental status which can affect patients' well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariacarolina Vacca
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.V.); (A.B.); (C.L.)
| | - Mariana Fernandes
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Montpellier Street 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.F.); (L.V.); (C.G.); (L.M.); (N.B.M.)
| | - Lorenzo Veronese
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Montpellier Street 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.F.); (L.V.); (C.G.); (L.M.); (N.B.M.)
| | - Andrea Ballesio
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.V.); (A.B.); (C.L.)
| | - Caterina Cerminara
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Policlinico Tor Vergata Hospital, Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Cinzia Galasso
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Montpellier Street 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.F.); (L.V.); (C.G.); (L.M.); (N.B.M.)
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Policlinico Tor Vergata Hospital, Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Luigi Mazzone
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Montpellier Street 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.F.); (L.V.); (C.G.); (L.M.); (N.B.M.)
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Policlinico Tor Vergata Hospital, Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Caterina Lombardo
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.V.); (A.B.); (C.L.)
| | - Nicola Biagio Mercuri
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Montpellier Street 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.F.); (L.V.); (C.G.); (L.M.); (N.B.M.)
- Epilepsy Center, Neurology Unit, University Hospital of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Liguori
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Montpellier Street 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.F.); (L.V.); (C.G.); (L.M.); (N.B.M.)
- Epilepsy Center, Neurology Unit, University Hospital of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Epilepsy has a bidirectional association with suicidality, and epilepsy patients are at much higher risk for suicide than the general population. This article reviews the recent literature on suicide risk factors, assessments, and management as they pertain specifically to suicidality in people with epilepsy, a population that requires unique considerations. RECENT FINDINGS Risk factors for suicidality include younger age (independent of comorbid psychiatric disorders), poor social support, psychiatric comorbidity (depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and alcohol use), and epilepsy-related factors (more frequent seizures, temporal lobe epilepsy, and drug-resistant epilepsy). Most clinicians agree with the need for addressing suicidality; however, there is inconsistency in the approach to caring for these patients. An example neurology clinic-based approach is outlined. Although PWE are at risk for suicide and risk factors have been characterized, care gaps remain. Screening strategies may help close these gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana Giambarberi
- Department of Psychiatry, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA. .,Department of Neurology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
| | - Heidi M Munger Clary
- Department of Neurology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
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