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Multicenter Study
. 2012 Oct 9;79(15):1548-55.
doi: 10.1212/WNL.0b013e31826e25aa. Epub 2012 Sep 26.

Quality of life in children with new-onset epilepsy: a 2-year prospective cohort study

Kathy N Speechley  1 , Mark A Ferro, Carol S Camfield, Wenyi Huang, Simon D Levin, Mary Lou Smith, Samuel Wiebe, Guangyong Zou
Affiliations
Multicenter Study

Quality of life in children with new-onset epilepsy: a 2-year prospective cohort study

Kathy N Speechley et al. Neurology. .

Abstract

Objectives: To assess health-related quality of life (HRQL) over 2 years in children 4-12 years old with new-onset epilepsy and risk factors.

Methods: Data are from a multicenter prospective cohort study, the Health-Related Quality of Life Study in Children with Epilepsy Study (HERQULES). Parents reported on children's HRQL and family factors and neurologists on clinical characteristics 4 times. Mean subscale and summary scores were computed for HRQL. Individual growth curve models identified trajectories of change in HRQL scores. Multiple regression identified baseline risk factors for HRQL 2 years later.

Results: A total of 374 (82) questionnaires were returned postdiagnosis and 283 (62%) of eligible parents completed all 4. Growth rates for HRQL summary scores were most rapid during the first 6 months and then stabilized. About one-half experienced clinically meaningful improvements in HRQL, one-third maintained their same level, and one-fifth declined. Compared with the general population, at 2 years our sample scored significantly lower on one-third of CHQ subscales and the psychosocial summary. After controlling for baseline HRQL, cognitive problems, poor family functioning, and high family demands were risk factors for poor HRQL 2 years later.

Conclusions: On average, HRQL was relatively good but with highly variable individual trajectories. At least one-half did not experience clinically meaningful improvements or declined over 2 years. Cognitive problems were the strongest risk factor for compromised HRQL 2 years after diagnosis and may be largely responsible for declines in the HRQL of children newly diagnosed with epilepsy.

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Figures

Figure
Figure. Mean Quality of Life in Children with Epilepsy Questionnaire (QOLCE) scores (subscales and overall)
Baseline and 6 months, 12 months, and 2 years later.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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