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. 2020 Jan-Feb;34(1):47-53.
doi: 10.1016/j.pedhc.2019.07.004. Epub 2019 Sep 21.

Standardized Screening for Depression in Pediatric Epilepsy

Erin Fecske, Paul Glasier, Lines M Vargas Collado, Elizabeth Rende

Standardized Screening for Depression in Pediatric Epilepsy

Erin Fecske et al. J Pediatr Health Care. 2020 Jan-Feb.

Abstract

Introduction: Depression is a common comorbidity of epilepsy that is under-recognized and under-diagnosed. To improve recognition, a brief screening tool, the Neurological Disorders Depression Inventory-Epilepsy-Youth (NDDI-E-Y) was implemented in a level-IV pediatric epilepsy clinic.

Method: This quality improvement is a pre-post design measuring the impact of standardized depression screening, via the NDDI-E-Y tool, in youth 12-17 years with epilepsy. Those with positive screens, scores > 32, received social work evaluation and mental health resources. Education was provided to all patients in standard discharge paperwork.

Results: Of N = 176 patients evaluated, n = 112 met criteria to complete the NDDI-E-Y. Fifteen percent (n = 17) of patients had positive screens, suggesting that they are at risk for depression.

Discussion: Depression is a challenge when managing patients with epilepsy and may impact their quality of life and seizure control. Routine depression screening is recommended and feasible in the outpatient setting with a standardized work process.

Keywords: Epilepsy; depression; pediatric epilepsy; quality improvement.

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