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Smith ML, Puka K, Speechley KN, Ferro MA, Connolly MB, Major P, Gallagher A, Almubarak S, Hasal S, Ramachandrannair R, Andrade A, Xu Q, Leung E, Snead OC, Widjaja E. Trajectories of parent well-being in children with drug-resistant epilepsy. Epilepsia 2023; 64:3342-3353. [PMID: 37828819 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This longitudinal cohort study aimed to identify trajectories of parent well-being over the first 2 years after their child's evaluation for candidacy for epilepsy surgery, and to identify the baseline clinical and demographic characteristics associated with these trajectories. Parent well-being was based on parent depressive and anxiety symptoms and family resources (i.e., family mastery and social support). METHODS Parents of 259 children with drug-resistant epilepsy (105 of whom eventually had surgery) were recruited from eight epilepsy centers across Canada at the time of their evaluation for epilepsy surgery candidacy. Participants were assessed at baseline and 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year follow-up. The trajectories of parents' depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and family resources were jointly estimated using multigroup latent class growth models. RESULTS The analyses identified three trajectories: an optimal-stable group with no/minimal depressive or anxiety symptoms, and high family resources that remained stable over time; a mild-decreasing-plateau group with mild depressive and anxiety symptoms that decreased over time then plateaued, and intermediate family resources that remained stable; and a moderate-decreasing group with moderate depressive and anxiety symptoms that decreased slightly, and low family resources that remained stable over time. Parents of children with higher health-related quality of life, fathers, and parents who had higher household income were more likely to have better trajectories of well-being. Treatment type was not associated with the trajectory groups, but parents whose children were seizure-free at the time of the last follow-up were more likely to have better trajectories (optimal-stable or mild-decreasing-plateau trajectories). SIGNIFICANCE This study documented distinct trajectories of parent well-being, from the time of the child's evaluation for epilepsy surgery. Parents who present with anxiety and depressive symptoms and low family resources do not do well over time. They should be identified and offered supportive services early in their child's epilepsy treatment history.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Lou Smith
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
- Neurosciences and Mental Health Program, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Klajdi Puka
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kathy N Speechley
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Paediatrics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mark A Ferro
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mary B Connolly
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Philippe Major
- Division of Neurology, Department of Neurosciences, CHU Sainte-Justine Hospital, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Anne Gallagher
- Centre de Recherche, CHU Sainte-Justine Hospital, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Salah Almubarak
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
- Qatif Central Hospital, Qatif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Simona Hasal
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | | | - Andrea Andrade
- Department of Paediatrics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Qi Xu
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Edward Leung
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - O Carter Snead
- Division of Neurology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Elysa Widjaja
- Neurosciences and Mental Health Program, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medical Imaging, Lurie Children's Hospital, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Caregivers' experiences in the management of children with epilepsy: A Systematic synthesis of qualitative studies. Seizure 2023; 106:117-128. [PMID: 36827863 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2023.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Childhood is the prime age for epilepsy onset. Adults in the family of affected children often become caregivers. Providing care for children with epilepsy may affect the caregivers' quality of life. There is a paucity of literature reviewing the experiences of caregivers of children with epilepsy. Therefore, we summarised the best available evidence exploring caregivers' experiences in caring for children with epilepsy. METHOD Published papers in PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, and PsycINFO databases were identified by two researchers. All search results were imported into EndNote X20. Two reviewers independently extracted the data using Microsoft Excel. The Critical Appraisal Skill Program systematic review checklist was used to evaluate the quality of the included articles. Data of the included studies were extracted by two independent reviewers using a standardised form. These findings were synthesised using a meta-aggregative approach. RESULTS A total of 12 studies were included in this meta-synthesis. In total, 260 findings were identified. These findings were aggregated into 13 categories, which were synthesised into four main themes: (i) burden experienced by caregivers, (ii) challenges experienced by caregivers, (iii) lack of social support, and (iv) adaptation to disease conditions. SIGNIFICANCE The synthesised studies present multiple perspectives on the burdens and challenges encountered by caregivers of children with epilepsy. Caregivers require support from a variety of sources, not only from their families but also society at large. Providing care to children with epilepsy is a dynamic experience for caregivers.
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Wei W, Yang R, Zhang J, Chen H, Ye J, Su Q, Liao J, Xiao Z. The Mediating Roles of Family Resilience and Social Support in the Relationship Between Illness Severity and Depressive Symptoms Among Primary Caregivers of Children With Epilepsy in China. Front Neurol 2022; 13:831899. [PMID: 35265030 PMCID: PMC8899194 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.831899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study was designed to assess the effects of epilepsy severity, family resilience, and social support on depression in primary caregivers of children with epilepsy (CWE), and to test the mediating roles of family resilience and social support in this relationship. METHOD Two hundred fifty-two caregivers of children with epilepsy were recruited from October 2020 to May 2021. The questionnaire contained sociodemographic characteristics, Epilepsy Severity, Chinese-Family Resilience Assessment Scale (C-FRAS), Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Structural equation models were used to evaluate whether family resilience and social support as mediators between epilepsy severity and depression. RESULTS In this study, the prevalence of depressive symptoms among primary caregivers of CWE in China was 69.84%. Epilepsy severity was positively associated with depression. Family resilience and social support were negatively correlated with depressive symptoms (both p < 0.01). Furthermore, the fitness indices of structural models were satisfactory. The direct effect of epilepsy severity on depression was 0.266 (95% CI 0.064-0.458), this pathway explained 62.88% variance of depression. The indirect effect of family resilience and then social support was 0.069 (95% CI 0.025-0.176), indicating that the serial multiple mediation was significant. The serial mediation pathway explained 16.31% variance of depression. CONCLUSIONS The high incidence of depression among primary carers of CWE deserves more attention. They should be screened routinely, especially those parents of children with severe epilepsy. Family resilience and social support could be protective factors for caregivers' mental adjustment. Therefore, future psychosocial interventions for enhancing family resilience and social support should be implemented, in order to reduce their depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Wei
- China Medical University, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Rongrong Yang
- China Medical University, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- China Medical University, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Haili Chen
- China Medical University, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jinghua Ye
- Department of Neurology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, China Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qiru Su
- Department of Clinical Research, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, China Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jianxiang Liao
- Department of Neurology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, China Medical University, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Jianxiang Liao
| | - Zhitian Xiao
- Department of Neurology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, China Medical University, Shenzhen, China
- Zhitian Xiao
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Guglielmi G, Eschbach KL, Alexander AL. Smaller Knife, Fewer Seizures? Recent Advances in Minimally Invasive Techniques in Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery. Semin Pediatr Neurol 2021; 39:100913. [PMID: 34620456 DOI: 10.1016/j.spen.2021.100913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Children with drug-resistant epilepsy are at high risk for developmental delay, increased mortality, psychiatric comorbidities, and requiring assistance with activities of daily living. Despite the advent of new and effective pharmacologic therapies, about one in 5 children will develop drug-resistant epilepsy, and most of these children continue to have seizures despite trials of other medication. Epilepsy surgery is often a safe and effective option which may offer seizure freedom or at least a significant reduction in seizure burden in many children. However, despite published evidence of safety and efficacy, epilepsy surgery remains underutilized in the pediatric population. Patient and family fears about the risks of surgery may contribute to this gap. Less invasive surgical techniques may be more palatable to children with epilepsy and their caregivers. In this review, we present recent advances in minimally invasive techniques for the surgical treatment of epilepsy as well as intriguing possibilities for the future. We describe the indications for, benefits of, and limits to minimally-invasive techniques including Stereo-encephalography, laser interstitial thermal ablation, deep brain stimulation, focused ultrasound, stereo-encephalography-guided radiofrequency ablation, endoscopic disconnections, and responsive neurostimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina Guglielmi
- Graduate Medical Education, Neurological Surgery Residency, Carle BroMenn Medical Center, Normal IL; Section of Pediatric Neurology, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora CO; Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Aurora CO; Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora CO; Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Aurora CO
| | - Krista L Eschbach
- Graduate Medical Education, Neurological Surgery Residency, Carle BroMenn Medical Center, Normal IL; Section of Pediatric Neurology, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora CO; Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Aurora CO; Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora CO; Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Aurora CO
| | - Allyson L Alexander
- Graduate Medical Education, Neurological Surgery Residency, Carle BroMenn Medical Center, Normal IL; Section of Pediatric Neurology, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora CO; Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Aurora CO; Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora CO; Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Aurora CO.
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