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Kaşak M, Çıtak Kurt AN, Tural Hesapçıoğlu S, Ceylan MF. Psychiatric comorbidity and familial factors in childhood epilepsy: Parental psychopathology, coping strategies, and family functioning. Epilepsy Behav 2023; 148:109444. [PMID: 37748417 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2023.109444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine the psychiatric diagnoses, parenting attitudes, family functioning among children and adolescents with epilepsy, coping styles of their mothers, and psychiatric symptoms of their mothers and fathers. METHODS Forty children and adolescents between the ages of 8 and 18 with epilepsy and 40 healthy controls were included in the study. The clinical interview and other measurements were used to assess psychiatric disorders and familial factors. RESULTS At least one psychiatric disorder was diagnosed in 65% of children and adolescents with epilepsy. It was determined that the mothers and fathers in the epilepsy group had higher anxiety and depression scores than the control group, and the fathers' hostility scores were also higher. The Family Assessment Device (FAD) (problem-solving and affective responsiveness), Coping Strategies Scale (COPE) (mental disengagement and substance use), and Parent Attitude Scale (PAS) (strictness/supervision) subtest scores of the epilepsy group were higher than the control group. CONCLUSION Psychiatric comorbidities, especially depression, anxiety disorders, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, are more common in children and adolescents with epilepsy. The mental health of parents, parent-child relationships, family functioning, and parental coping styles were adversely affected in families with children with epilepsy. It is essential to evaluate psychiatric comorbidity and family factors in children with epilepsy and to create a treatment plan for problem areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meryem Kaşak
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Ayşegül N Çıtak Kurt
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Selma Tural Hesapçıoğlu
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Fatih Ceylan
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
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Hüsser AM, Vannasing P, Tremblay J, Osterman B, Lortie A, Diadori P, Major P, Rossignol E, Roger K, Fourdain S, Provost S, Maalouf Y, Nguyen DK, Gallagher A. Brain language networks and cognitive outcomes in children with frontotemporal lobe epilepsy. Front Hum Neurosci 2023; 17:1253529. [PMID: 37964801 PMCID: PMC10641510 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2023.1253529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Pediatric frontal and temporal lobe epilepsies (FLE, TLE) have been associated with language impairments and structural and functional brain alterations. However, there is no clear consensus regarding the specific patterns of cerebral reorganization of language networks in these patients. The current study aims at characterizing the cerebral language networks in children with FLE or TLE, and the association between brain network characteristics and cognitive abilities. Methods Twenty (20) children with FLE or TLE aged between 6 and 18 years and 29 age- and sex-matched healthy controls underwent a neuropsychological evaluation and a simultaneous functional near-infrared spectroscopy and electroencephalography (fNIRS-EEG) recording at rest and during a receptive language task. EEG was used to identify potential subclinical seizures in patients. We removed these time intervals from the fNIRS signal to investigate language brain networks and not epileptogenic networks. Functional connectivity matrices on fNIRS oxy-hemoglobin concentration changes were computed using cross-correlations between all channels. Results and discussion Group comparisons of residual matrices (=individual task-based matrix minus individual resting-state matrix) revealed significantly reduced connectivity within the left and between hemispheres, increased connectivity within the right hemisphere and higher right hemispheric local efficiency for the epilepsy group compared to the control group. The epilepsy group had significantly lower cognitive performance in all domains compared to their healthy peers. Epilepsy patients' local network efficiency in the left hemisphere was negatively associated with the estimated IQ (p = 0.014), suggesting that brain reorganization in response to FLE and TLE does not allow for an optimal cognitive development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra M. Hüsser
- Neurodevelopmental Optical Imaging Laboratory (LIONlab), Research Center, Sainte-Justine Mother and Child University Hospital Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Phetsamone Vannasing
- Neurodevelopmental Optical Imaging Laboratory (LIONlab), Research Center, Sainte-Justine Mother and Child University Hospital Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Julie Tremblay
- Neurodevelopmental Optical Imaging Laboratory (LIONlab), Research Center, Sainte-Justine Mother and Child University Hospital Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Bradley Osterman
- Division of Neurology, Sainte-Justine Mother and Child University Hospital Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Montreal Children’s Hospital, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Anne Lortie
- Division of Neurology, Sainte-Justine Mother and Child University Hospital Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Paola Diadori
- Division of Neurology, Sainte-Justine Mother and Child University Hospital Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Philippe Major
- Division of Neurology, Sainte-Justine Mother and Child University Hospital Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Elsa Rossignol
- Division of Neurology, Sainte-Justine Mother and Child University Hospital Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Kassandra Roger
- Neurodevelopmental Optical Imaging Laboratory (LIONlab), Research Center, Sainte-Justine Mother and Child University Hospital Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Solène Fourdain
- Neurodevelopmental Optical Imaging Laboratory (LIONlab), Research Center, Sainte-Justine Mother and Child University Hospital Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sarah Provost
- Neurodevelopmental Optical Imaging Laboratory (LIONlab), Research Center, Sainte-Justine Mother and Child University Hospital Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Yara Maalouf
- Neurodevelopmental Optical Imaging Laboratory (LIONlab), Research Center, Sainte-Justine Mother and Child University Hospital Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Dang Khoa Nguyen
- Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- CHUM Research Center, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Anne Gallagher
- Neurodevelopmental Optical Imaging Laboratory (LIONlab), Research Center, Sainte-Justine Mother and Child University Hospital Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Nabavi Nouri M, Puka K, Palmar K, Speechley KN. Impact of number of anti-seizure medications on long-term health-related quality of life in children with epilepsy: A prospective cohort study. Seizure 2022; 99:120-126. [PMID: 35636159 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2022.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Health-related quality of life (HRQL) is compromised in children with epilepsy. We aimed to determine whether children diagnosed with epilepsy between ages 4-12 years who are exposed to a higher number of anti-seizure medication (ASM) over the first 2 years, have poorer HRQL 10 years after diagnosis. METHODS Data were obtained from 195 children enrolled in the Health-Related Quality of Life in Children with Epilepsy Study (HERQULES) in Canada. HRQL was measured using the Quality of Life in Childhood Epilepsy Questionnaire (QOLCE-55) completed by parents at baseline through to 10 years after diagnosis. The total number of ASM were reported by physicians four times in the first two years after diagnosis. Multivariable block-wise linear regression was used to assess the impact of ASM (categorized as none, one, or more than one), as well as clinical and family factors on children's HRQL 10 years after diagnosis. RESULTS Children had a mean age of 7.9 ± 2.3 years at diagnosis and 92 (47%) were female. Mean QOLCE at baseline and 10 years was 72.04±14 and 78.7±16,respectively. Clinically meaningful improvement in HRQL from the 2 to 10-year follow-up was detected in 35% of children, reported similarly across all ASM treatment categories (p = .38). The number of ASM prescribed in the first two years was associated with HRQL at the 10-year follow-up, however this association was not significant when adjusting for clinical characteristics, family factors, and HRQL at the two-year follow-up (p = .75). Our data showed that HRQL at 2 years was the only variable associated with better HRQL scores at 10 years (p = <.001). CONCLUSION In children with new onset epilepsy, exposure to a higher number of ASM, when accounting for clinical and family factors as well as HRQL at 2 years, is not independently associated with lower long-term HRQL. Early HRQL was found to be a good indicator of long-term HRQL, despite the number of ASMs prescribed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Nabavi Nouri
- Department of Pediatrics, Schulich school of Dentistry and Medicine, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Children's Health Research Institute, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada.
| | - Klajdi Puka
- Children's Health Research Institute, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada; Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Katie Palmar
- Department of Clinical Geriatrics, NVS, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kathy N Speechley
- Department of Pediatrics, Schulich school of Dentistry and Medicine, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Children's Health Research Institute, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada; Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Western University, London, ON, Canada
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Piloting positive psychology resources for caregivers of a child with a genetic developmental and epileptic encephalopathy. Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2022; 37:129-138. [PMID: 35240556 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2022.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs) are chronic and life-threatening conditions, frequently with a genetic basis and infantile-onset. Caregivers often experience enduring distress adapting to their child's diagnosis and report a deficit of accessible psychological supports. We aimed to pilot a novel, empirically-driven suite of audio-visual positive psychology resources tailored for caregivers of children with a DEE, called 'Finding a Way'. METHODS We recruited caregivers through two paediatric hospital databases, and we also shared an invitation to the online questionnaire via genetic epilepsy advocacy organisations. The online questionnaire included a combination of validated, purpose-designed, and open-ended questions to assess the acceptability, relevance, and emotional impact of the resources among caregivers. RESULTS 167 caregivers from 18 countries reviewed the resources, with 56 caregivers completing over 85% of the evaluation. Caregivers rated the resources as highly acceptable and relevant to their experiences. In both the quantitative and qualitative data, caregivers reported that the resources normalised their emotional experiences and provided helpful suggestions about managing their personal relationships, seeking support and accepting help from others. Frequently reported emotional responses after viewing the resources included feeling "comforted", "hopeful", "connected" and "reassured". Suggestions for improvement included, expanding the suite of resources and embedding the resources with links to specialised psychological services. CONCLUSION 'Finding a Way' is a novel codesigned suite of audio-visual positive psychology resources tailored for caregivers of children with DEEs. Our results suggest that 'Finding a Way' is acceptable to caregivers and may contribute towards enhanced emotional adaptation and coping.
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Oberdhan D, Bacci E, Hill JN, Palsgrove A, Hareendran A. Developing a Conceptual Disease Model of Patient Experiences and Identifying Patient-Reported Clinical Outcome Assessments for Use in Trials of Treatments for Focal Onset Seizures. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2022; 18:611-631. [PMID: 35345602 PMCID: PMC8957350 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s354031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To identify concepts important to understanding the experiences of adults with focal onset seizures (FOS) and evaluate clinical outcome assessments (COAs) for measuring these concepts in clinical trials of treatments for FOS. METHODS A search of published qualitative research, clinical trials, and approved product labels for FOS treatments was performed to develop a conceptual disease model (CDM) of patients' experience of living with FOS. Concepts of interest (COI) were selected, and a second literature search was conducted to identify COAs measuring these concepts. Ten COAs were selected and reviewed to document their development process, evidence of measurement properties, and methods for interpreting change scores using criteria proposed in regulatory guidelines for patient-reported outcomes to support label claims. RESULTS Concepts identified from the published literature (13 articles, 1 conference abstract), 24 clinical trials, and 8 product labels were included in a novel CDM. Impacts on physical, cognitive, and social and emotional function were chosen as COI for evaluating treatment outcomes for FOS; the additional concept of social support and coping strategies was chosen to understand patients' lived experiences. From 51 unique COAs identified, 10 were selected based on their potential coverage of the COI; some symptom severity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) COAs covered multiple COI. Of these 10, 8 COAs evaluated impacts/limitations on physical function, 8 measured social and emotional impacts, and 5 assessed social support and coping strategies. While most assessments had gaps in evidence validating their measurement properties, 2 COAs measuring symptom severity and 1 COA measuring HRQoL had evidence confirming their potential utility in clinical trials to support label claims. CONCLUSION This research provides insights into the experience of patients with FOS and identifies COAs that measure concepts considered to support endpoints in clinical trials for FOS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorothee Oberdhan
- Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., Rockville, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Andrew Palsgrove
- Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., Rockville, MD, USA
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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in children with severe epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav 2021; 122:108217. [PMID: 34352664 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.108217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children with severe epilepsy and the associations of trauma symptoms across age, comorbid symptoms, epilepsy-specific factors, parental resources, and psychopathology. METHODS Fifty children with severe epilepsy across three different age groups (0-5 yrs., 6-12 yrs., 13-18 yrs.) were assessed with developmental-sensitive and standardized PTSD assessment tools when hospitalized at the tertiary epilepsy center Filadelfia, Denmark. The Diagnostic Infant and Preschool Assessment (DIPA), the Darryl test, and the ITQ questionnaire were used to assess the three age groups, respectively. RESULTS Twenty-two percent of the overall sample met the criteria for PTSD, with a prevalence of symptoms increasing with age (6%, 28%, and 40%). Comorbid psychiatric symptoms in preschoolers were present in 81% of the children witnessing a high level of distress in this group. Behavioral difficulties were elevated across all three age groups, and 40% of the children with trauma symptoms had a parent with concurrent psychopathology. CONCLUSION To the authors' knowledge, this study is the first to assess trauma symptoms with standardized tests in children with more complicated epilepsies. Trauma symptoms in the group are high; however, there is a need for larger scale studies and research into trauma symptoms in children with more severe epilepsy than those assessable with the included assessment tools. The trauma perspective in severe childhood epilepsy might further clarify the complex associations of biological and contextual variables that affect the children's life quality and enable better preventative treatment options for this group.
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Validation of the Health-Related Quality of Life in Childhood Epilepsy Questionnaire (QOLCE-55) for Brazilian Portuguese. Epilepsy Behav 2021; 120:107969. [PMID: 33964539 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.107969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The present study aimed to validate the 55-item Health-Related Quality of Life in Childhood Epilepsy Questionnaire (QOLCE-55) in Brazilian Portuguese and evaluate the relation of its results with clinical data and caregiver burden. METHODS The QOLCE-55 was submitted to translation, back-translation, and cultural adaptation in a pilot sample with 20 subjects. To ensure the psychometric properties of validation, the validation of the QOLCE-55 was carried out in a sample of 45 patients with epilepsy aged between 4 and 18 years and their parents or caregivers and compared with the results of other quality-of-life instruments, namely, the QVCE-50 and QOLIE-AD-48, as well as with the SDQ, abrief behavioral screeningquestionnaire. The WASI and SON-R 2½-7 [a] were used for evaluation of intelligence quotient (IQ) and the Burden Interview for the caregiver burden. RESULTS Internal consistency measured by Cronbach's alpha coefficient was moderate (0.692; p = 0.264), and the test-retest reliability analyzed by the intraclass correlation coefficient was satisfactory when compared with the results by different examiners on the same day (0.951; p = 0.001) and at different times (0.778; p = 0.001). This version of the QOLCE-55 presented a strong correlation with the QVCE-50 (0.904; p < 0.001) and SDQ (-0.428; p = 0.004) but a low correlation with the QOLIE-AD-48 (0.094; p = 0.729). This version also presented a correlation with IQ (R = 0.456, p = 0.003) and an inverse correlation with the Burden Interview (-0.390; p = 0.012). Low quality of life was associated with the presence of tonic-clonic seizures (p = 0.005), polytherapy (p = 0.003), and low socioeconomic conditions (p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS The Brazilian Portuguese version of the QOLCE-55 was confirmed as a reliable and valid scale to assess quality of life in children and adolescents with epilepsy. Behavioral problems, caregiver burden, tonic-clonic seizures, polytherapy, and socioeconomic precariousness were associated with low quality-of-life values, while IQ was positively correlated with the quality of life in this population.
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Phillips NL, Widjaja E, Speechley K, Ferro M, Connolly M, Major P, Gallagher A, Ramachandrannair R, Almubarak S, Hasal S, Andrade A, Xu Q, Leung E, Snead OC, Smith ML. Longitudinal changes in emotional functioning following pediatric resective epilepsy surgery: 2-Year follow-up. Epilepsy Behav 2021; 114:107585. [PMID: 33272893 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2020.107585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine longitudinal changes and predictors of depression and anxiety 2 years following resective epilepsy surgery, compared to no surgery, in children with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). METHOD This multicenter cohort study involved 128 children and adolescents with DRE (48 surgical, 80 nonsurgical; 8-18 years) who completed self-report measures of depression and anxiety at baseline and follow-up (6-month, 1-year, 2-year). Child demographic (age, sex, IQ) and seizure (age at onset, duration, frequency, site and side) variables were collected. RESULTS Linear mixed-effects models controlling for age at enrolment found a time by treatment by seizure outcome interaction for depression. A negative linear trend across time (reduction in symptoms) was found for surgical patients, irrespective of seizure outcome. In contrast, the linear trend differed depending on seizure outcome in nonsurgical patients; a negative trend was found for those with continued seizures, whereas a positive trend (increase in symptoms) was found for those who achieved seizure freedom. Only a main effect of time was found for anxiety indicating a reduction in symptoms across patient groups. Multivariate regressions failed to find baseline predictors of depression or anxiety at 2-year follow-up in surgical patients. Older age, not baseline anxiety or depression, predicted greater symptoms of anxiety and depression at 2-year follow-up in nonsurgical patients. CONCLUSION Children with DRE reported improvement in anxiety and depression, irrespective of whether they achieve seizure control, across the 2 years following surgery. In contrast, children with DRE who did not undergo surgery, but achieved seizure freedom, reported worsening of depressive symptoms, which may indicate difficulty adjusting to life without seizures and highlight the potential need for ongoing medical and psychosocial follow-up and support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie L Phillips
- Neurosciences and Mental Health Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Psychology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Elysa Widjaja
- Neurosciences and Mental Health Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Division of Neurology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Diagnostic Imaging, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kathy Speechley
- Departments of Paediatrics and Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Mark Ferro
- School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Mary Connolly
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Philippe Major
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Ste. Justine Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Anne Gallagher
- Centre de Recherche, Ste. Justine Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Salah Almubarak
- Department of Pediatrics, Neurology Division, Royal University Hospital, Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, SK, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, Neurology Division, Qatif Central Hospital, Qatif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Simona Hasal
- Department of Pediatrics, Neurology Division, Royal University Hospital, Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, SK, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, Neurology Division, Qatif Central Hospital, Qatif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Andrea Andrade
- Department of Pediatrics, London Health Sciences Center, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Qi Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Edward Leung
- Department of Pediatrics, Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - O Carter Snead
- Division of Neurology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mary Lou Smith
- Neurosciences and Mental Health Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Psychology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada.
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The impact of severe pediatric epilepsy on experienced stress and psychopathology in parents. Epilepsy Behav 2020; 113:107538. [PMID: 33238238 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2020.107538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess the prevalence of psychopathology and the level of stress in parents of children with severe epilepsy to gain a better understanding of parental support needs. METHODS Questionnaires were completed by parents of children with severe epilepsy during the hospitalization of their child at the Danish Epilepsy Center. The questions targeted symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), complex PTSD (CPTSD), depression, and anxiety, and the level of perceived stress. RESULTS A total of 162 caregivers of 140 children with epilepsy participated in the survey. Mothers were more often unemployed than fathers (38% vs. 11%, p < 0.01), and nearly half of the children (47%) attended special needs classes. Psychopathology symptoms were found in 43.5% of parents, fulfilling criteria for one or more diagnoses, and an additional 11% showed symptoms of sub-clinical PTSD. Parent-rated child difficulties were significantly associated with PTSD (Mdiff = 5.51, p = 0.001), depression (Mdiff = 4.50, p < 0.000), and anxiety (Mdiff = 4.61, p = 0.01), and with higher levels of perceived stress (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Caring for a child with severe epilepsy has a significant psychopathological impact on caregivers. Caregivers' resources and the degree of behavioral difficulties in the child, rather than epilepsy-related factors, are highly correlated with distress and psychopathological symptoms in caregivers.
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Puka K, Bax K, Andrade A, Devries-Rizzo M, Gangam H, Levin S, Nouri MN, Prasad AN, Secco M, Zou G, Speechley KN. A live-online mindfulness-based intervention for children living with epilepsy and their families: protocol for a randomized controlled trial of Making Mindfulness Matter©. Trials 2020; 21:922. [PMID: 33176853 PMCID: PMC7657360 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-020-04792-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epilepsy extends far beyond seizures; up to 80% of children with epilepsy (CWE) may have comorbid cognitive or mental health problems, and up to 50% of parents of CWE are at risk for major depression. Past research has also shown that family environment has a greater influence on children's and parents' health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and mental health than epilepsy-related factors. There is a pressing need for low-cost, innovative interventions to improve HRQOL and mental health for CWE and their parents. The aim of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to evaluate whether an interactive online mindfulness-based intervention program, Making Mindfulness Matter (M3), can be feasibly implemented and whether it positively affects CWE's and parents' HRQOL and mental health (specifically, stress, behavioral, depressive, and anxiety symptoms). METHODS This parallel RCT was planned to recruit 100 child-parent dyads to be randomized 1:1 to the 8-week intervention or waitlist control and followed over 20 weeks. The intervention, M3, will be delivered online and separately to parents and children (ages 4-10 years) in groups of 4-8 by non-clinician staff of a local community epilepsy agency. The intervention incorporates mindful awareness, social-emotional learning skills, and positive psychology. It is modeled after the validated school-based MindUP program and adapted for provision online and to include a parent component. DISCUSSION This RCT will determine whether this online mindfulness-based intervention is feasible and effective for CWE and their parents. The proposed intervention may be an ideal vector to significantly improve HRQOL and mental health for CWE and their parents given its low cost and implementation by community epilepsy agencies. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04020484 . Registered on July 16, 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klajdi Puka
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Western University, Kresge Building, Room K201, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada. .,Children's Health Research Institute, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Karen Bax
- Children's Health Research Institute, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.,The Mary J. Wright Research and Education Centre, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrea Andrade
- Children's Health Research Institute, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.,Paediatrics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Children's Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Margo Devries-Rizzo
- Children's Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada.,Health Sciences, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hema Gangam
- Paediatrics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Simon Levin
- Children's Health Research Institute, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.,Paediatrics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Children's Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maryam N Nouri
- Children's Health Research Institute, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.,Paediatrics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Children's Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Asuri N Prasad
- Children's Health Research Institute, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.,Paediatrics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Children's Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mary Secco
- Epilepsy Southwestern Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Guangyong Zou
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Western University, Kresge Building, Room K201, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada.,Robarts Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kathy N Speechley
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Western University, Kresge Building, Room K201, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada.,Children's Health Research Institute, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.,Paediatrics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
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11
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Puka K, Ferro MA, Camfield CS, Levin SD, Smith ML, Wiebe S, Zou G, Speechley KN. Self-reported quality of life and degree of youth-parent agreement: A long-term follow-up of childhood-onset epilepsy. Epilepsia 2020; 61:2254-2264. [PMID: 32924172 DOI: 10.1111/epi.16665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To prospectively delineate self-reported health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) 8 and 10 years after an epilepsy diagnosis and evaluate the degree of AYA-parent agreement in ratings of AYA's HRQOL. METHODS Data came from the Health-Related Quality of Life in Children with Epilepsy Study (HERQULES), a 10-year longitudinal study of children, aged 4-12 years, with newly diagnosed epilepsy. Epilepsy-specific HRQOL was self-reported by AYA 8 and 10 years after diagnosis and by parents at multiple time points throughout the 10-year follow-up. Measurers of HRQOL over time were analyzed using a linear mixed-effect model approach. AYA-parent agreement was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman plots. RESULTS A total of 165 AYAs participated at long-term follow-up. There was considerable heterogeneity among AYA's HRQOL, and as a group, there was no significant change in HRQOL from the 8- to 10-year follow-up. Household income at the time of diagnosis, seizure control at follow-up, and a history of emotional problems (anxiety/depression) were independent predictors of HRQOL at follow-up. AYA-parent agreement on AYA's HRQOL was moderate (ICC 0.62, 95% CI 0.51-0.71), although considerable differences were observed at the individual level. AYA-parent agreement varied with AYA's and parent's age, seizure control, and family environment. SIGNIFICANCE In the long-term after a diagnosis of epilepsy, AYAs report stable HRQOL over time at the group level, although notable individual differences exist. Seizure control, anxiety/depression, and family environment meaningfully impact AYA's long-term HRQOL. AYA and parent reports on HRQOL are similar at the group level, although they cannot be used interchangeably, given the large individual differences observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klajdi Puka
- Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Children's Health Research Institute, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
| | - Mark A Ferro
- School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Carol S Camfield
- Paediatrics, Child Neurology, IWK Health Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Simon D Levin
- Children's Health Research Institute, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada.,Paediatrics, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Mary Lou Smith
- Psychology, University of Toronto, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Samuel Wiebe
- Clinical Neuroscience, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Guangyong Zou
- Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Robarts Clinical Trials, Robarts Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
| | - Kathy N Speechley
- Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Children's Health Research Institute, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada.,Paediatrics, Western University, London, ON, Canada
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12
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Phillips NL, Widjaja E, Smith ML. Family resources moderate the relationship between seizure control and health‐related quality of life in children with drug‐resistant epilepsy. Epilepsia 2020; 61:1638-1648. [DOI: 10.1111/epi.16602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Natalie L. Phillips
- Neurosciences and Mental Health Program Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning Hospital for Sick Children Toronto Ontario Canada
- Department of Psychology Hospital for Sick Children Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Elysa Widjaja
- Neurosciences and Mental Health Program Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning Hospital for Sick Children Toronto Ontario Canada
- Division of Neurology Hospital for Sick Children Toronto Ontario Canada
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging Hospital for Sick Children Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Mary Lou Smith
- Neurosciences and Mental Health Program Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning Hospital for Sick Children Toronto Ontario Canada
- Department of Psychology Hospital for Sick Children Toronto Ontario Canada
- Department of Psychology University of Toronto Mississauga Toronto Ontario Canada
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13
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Speechley KN. Fostering research pathways to positive long-term outcomes for childhood-onset epilepsy. Dev Med Child Neurol 2020; 62:542-543. [PMID: 32144758 DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.14514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kathy Nixon Speechley
- Department of Paediatrics and Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Children's Health Research Institute/Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
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14
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Clinical application of the PedsQL Epilepsy Module (PedsQL-EM) in an ambulatory pediatric epilepsy setting. Epilepsy Behav 2020; 106:107005. [PMID: 32199347 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2020.107005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Children with epilepsy report lower health-related quality of life (QOL) compared with healthy children and those with other chronic disorders. This study piloted the recently published Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) Epilepsy Module (PedsQL-EM) in an ambulatory setting and studied epilepsy-related factors contributing to QOL in children with epilepsy. METHODS Children with epilepsy aged 8-18 years who were ambulant and verbal were recruited from pediatric neurology clinics. Children and their caregivers completed age-appropriate versions of the PedsQL-EM (8-12 or 13-18 years) in the clinic waiting area. Treating neurologists completed medical questionnaires about their patients' epilepsy. RESULTS We collected 151 parent-report and 127 self-report PedsQL-EMs. Administration time was 5-10 min with some children receiving assistance from the researcher. Mean age of children was 12.9+/-3.0, with 77 females (51%). Parents reported lower mean QOL scores across all subdomains compared with their children. Parents reported significantly lower QOL for children with earlier age at epilepsy onset, longer epilepsy duration, presence of seizures during the last month, more severe epilepsy, increased number of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), and cognitive comorbidity. The same factors impacted on child self-reporting, but with more variability across subdomains. CONCLUSIONS The PedsQL-EM is an epilepsy-specific measure of QOL that is quick and easy to administer and is sensitive to the clinical factors reported to impact on QOL in pediatric epilepsy.
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Gonzalez LM, Wrennall JA. A neuropsychological model for the pre-surgical evaluation of children with focal-onset epilepsy: An integrated approach. Seizure 2020; 77:29-39. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2018.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2018] [Revised: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
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Puka K, Ferro MA, Anderson KK, Speechley KN. Prevalence and trajectories of depressive symptoms among mothers of children with newly diagnosed epilepsy: A longitudinal 10-year study. Epilepsia 2019; 60:358-366. [PMID: 30645767 DOI: 10.1111/epi.14638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Parental depression significantly impacts children's health and well-being. This study aimed to (1) estimate the prevalence of depressive symptoms, at six time points, among mothers over the first 10 years after their child was diagnosed with epilepsy; (2) identify trajectories of maternal depressive symptoms over time; and (3) identify baseline factors associated with each trajectory. METHODS Data came from the Health-Related Quality of Life in Children with Epilepsy Study (HERQULES), a Canada-wide prospective cohort study. Data on child, parent, and family characteristics were collected at the time of diagnosis, and follow-ups at 0.5, 1, 2, 8, and 10 years. Maternal depressive symptoms were measured using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Trajectories of depressive symptoms were evaluated using latent class growth modeling, and multinomial logistic regression was used to identify baseline factors associated with each trajectory. RESULTS A total of 356 mothers participated in the study, of whom 57% scored in the at-risk range for major depression disorder (period-prevalence). Four unique trajectories were identified as follows: "Low-Stable" (29% of mothers), "Intermediate-Stable" (46%), "High-Stable" (20%), and "High-Decreasing" (5%). Positive family environment was consistently associated with a better trajectory of depressive symptoms over time; other significant factors included type of seizures, child cognitive comorbidity, maternal age, and maternal education. SIGNIFICANCE A substantial proportion of mothers of children with epilepsy are at risk for depression, and this risk is stable over the long term. Family environment at the time of diagnosis has long-term and persistent effects and may be an ideal target for interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klajdi Puka
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Children's Health Research Institute, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mark A Ferro
- School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kelly K Anderson
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Children's Health Research Institute, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kathy N Speechley
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Children's Health Research Institute, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Paediatrics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
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