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. 2016 Sep;41(8):888-97.
doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsv098. Epub 2015 Oct 26.

Quality of Life Changes and Health Care Charges Among Youth With Epilepsy

Jamie L Ryan  1 , Meghan E McGrady  2 , Shanna M Guilfoyle  2 , Katherine Follansbee-Junger  2 , James L Peugh  2 , Kristin A Loiselle  2 , Alex D Arnett  2 , Avani C Modi  2
Affiliations

Quality of Life Changes and Health Care Charges Among Youth With Epilepsy

Jamie L Ryan et al. J Pediatr Psychol. 2016 Sep.

Abstract

Objective: To examine differences in health care charges following a pediatric epilepsy diagnosis based on changes in health-related quality of life (HRQOL).

Methods: Billing records were obtained for 171 youth [M (SD) age = 8.9 (4.1) years] newly diagnosed with epilepsy. Differences in health care charges among HRQOL groups (stable low, declining, improving, or stable high as determined by PedsQL(™) scores at diagnosis and 12 months after diagnosis) were examined.

Results: Patients with persistently low or declining HRQOL incurred higher total health care charges in the year following diagnosis (g = .49, g = .81) than patients with stable high HRQOL after controlling for epilepsy etiology, seizure occurrence, and insurance type. These relationships remained consistent after excluding health care charges for behavioral medicine or neuropsychology services (g = .49, g = .80).

Conclusions: Monitoring HRQOL over time may identify youth with epilepsy at particular risk for higher health care charges.

Keywords: health care charges; health care utilization; health-related quality of life; pediatric epilepsy; psychosocial functioning.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Health care charges by medical encounter type and HRQOL group for outpatient clinic visits (a) and psychology visits (b). Note. Example medical services not related to epilepsy categorized as “Other": Outpatient clinic (endocrinology, occupational therapy); Behavioral medicine (outpatient treatment for anxiety or disruptive behavior).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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