Behavioral health in young adults with epilepsy: Implications for transition of care

Pharmacological Considerations When Transitioning the Care of Epilepsy Patients from Pediatric to Adult Epilepsy Centers

There is scarce evidence in review of the available literature to support a clear and superior model for the transition of care for epilepsy patients from pediatric to adult centers. Anecdotally, there is a common perception that families are reluctant to make this change and that the successful transition of care for epilepsy can be a challenge for patients, families, and physicians. As part of the effort to prepare the patient and family for the adult model of care, several treatment issues should be addressed. In this article, we discuss the specific challenges for physicians in transition of care for epilepsy patients from a pharmacological standpoint, which include differences in metabolism and pharmacodynamics that can impact tolerability or efficacy of antiepileptic medications, lifestyle changes affecting medication compliance and seizure control, acquired adult health conditions necessitating new medications that may result in adverse drug interactions, and adult neurologists' potential lack of familiarity with certain medications typically used in the pediatric epilepsy population. We offer this as a guide to avoid one of the many possible pitfalls when epilepsy patients transition to adult care.

Perceptions of adult and child neurologists of transition programs in epilepsy in Latin America: A cross-sectional study

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to review the existence and opinion Latin American adult and child neurologists have about the development and function of transition programs in epilepsy.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study. A questionnaire was constructed with sociodemographic variables, knowledge about transition programs, barriers for building up transition programs, and 21 topics regarding the degree of involvement of healthcare providers and carers should have during the transition process. The online questionnaire was sent to 136 Latin American chapter officers registered in the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) webpage and to 36 clinicians assisting to the 13th Latin American Summer School on Epilepsy.

RESULTS

The answer rate was 68% (117/172), and all 19 Latin American countries were represented. Adult neurologists represented 60.7%. Only 16.2% knew of transition programs in epilepsy. The main limitations for transition programs were poor education about transition (76.9%), inflexible healthcare systems (75.2%), absence of financial support (61.5%), need of multidisciplinary teams (59%), and scarce communication between child and adult neurologists (53%). Providers and carers are expected to get involved at a high degree in all 21 presented topics for a transition process. The topics with highest percentage of commitment were violence and carrying weapons (93.2%), mental health (92.3%), alcohol and drugs (91.4%), suicide (90.6%), care of own's disease (90.5%), mortality risk (89.7%), and integral healthcare (92.2%).

CONCLUSION

Only a few transition programs exist in Latin America. Knowing the benefits of and barriers for transition programs opens the opportunity to move further this strategy in the region considering local specificities. Education, communication skills, team working, and advocacy for adolescents with epilepsy could be initial starting points.

CDC-supported epilepsy surveillance and epidemiologic studies: A review of progress since 1994

To report progress, to identify gaps, and to plan epilepsy surveillance and research activities more effectively, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Epilepsy Program has summarized findings from selected CDC-supported surveillance and epidemiologic studies about epilepsy from 1994 through 2019. We identified publications supported by CDC funding and publications conducted by the CDC Epilepsy Program alone or with partners. We included only epilepsy surveillance and epidemiologic studies focusing on epilepsy burden, epilepsy-related outcomes, and healthcare utilization. We describe the findings of these studies in the following order: 1)prevalence; 2)incidence; 3)epilepsy-related outcomes by selected demographic characteristics; 4)cysticercosis or neurocysticercosis (NCC); 5)traumatic brain injury (TBI); 6)comorbidity; 7)mortality; 8)access to care; 9)quality of care; and 10) cost. We have characterized these findings in relation to the scope of the first three domains of the 2012 Institute of Medicine report on epilepsy and its relevant first four recommendations. From 1994 through 2019, 76 publications on epilepsy-related epidemiologic and surveillance studies were identified. Over the past 25 years, CDC has expanded community, state, and national surveillance on epilepsy and supported epidemiologic studies by using multiple assessment methods and validated case-ascertainment criteria to identify epilepsy burden, epilepsy-related outcomes, and healthcare utilization in the general population or in population subgroups. Among identified research opportunities, studies on epilepsy incidence and risk factors, mortality, and cost are considered as important surveillance gaps. Other remaining gaps and suggested surveillance strategies are also proposed. Findings from this review may help epilepsy researchers and other stakeholders reference and prioritize future activities for epidemiologic and surveillance studies in epilepsy.

Implementation of psychological clinical trials in epilepsy: Review and guide

The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) Neuropsychiatry commission and United States Institute of Medicine report both identified cognitive and psychological comorbidities as a significant issue for individuals with epilepsy, with rates as high as 60%. However, there is a paucity of evidence-based treatments for many psychological conditions (e.g., learning disorders, cognitive disorders, behavioral disorders). Because of inherent challenges in the implementation of psychological therapy trials and specific considerations for the population with epilepsy, the focus of the current review was to provide guidance and recommendations to conduct psychological trials for individuals with epilepsy. Several key areas will be discussed, including selection of patients, trial design, psychological intervention considerations, outcomes and evaluation of results, publication of trial results, and special issues related to pediatric clinical trials. Rigorously designed psychological therapy trials will set the stage for evidence-based practice in the care of individuals with epilepsy, with the goal of improving seizures, side effects, and HRQOL.