Quality of life in young adolescents with epilepsy: A case control study

Rationale: There is limited data comparing quality of life (QOL) in young adolescents with epilepsy with young adolescents without epilepsy. This study aimed to compare self and caregiver rated child quality of life in young adolescents with epilepsy and a matched control group without epilepsy, and to explore factors associated with quality of life in young adolescents with epilepsy.

Method: Young adolescents with epilepsy (aged between 11 and 15 years) (n = 60; 25/35 boys/girls), a group of matched controls (n = 49 25/24; boys/girls), and their primary caregivers completed a measure of the child’s quality of life (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory; PedsQL). Comparisons between the epilepsy and control group were undertaken using chi-square analysis and independent t-tests. Linear regression was used to explore factors associated with quality of life in the adolescents with epilepsy. An alpha level of p < 0.05 was used.

Results: Adolescents with epilepsy had significantly lower scores on all QoL domains, summary scores and total score of the self-rated PedsQL (all p < 0.001 with exception of physical functioning (p = 0.003)). Adolescents with epilepsy also had significantly lower caregiver rated total QOL with lower scores on all of the PedsQL domains, summary scores, and on the total score (all p < 0.001). Increased adolescent mental health difficulties, increased adolescent motor coordination difficulties, and having had seizures in the week prior to the assessment were associated with reduced quality of life scores on both adolescents and caregiver rated quality of life in the adolescents with epilepsy.

Conclusion: Young adolescents with epilepsy have lower QOL on both self- and caregiver report compared to peers without epilepsy. The association with mental health and motor coordination difficulties highlights the need for identification and management of these co-occurring conditions. It is important that resources for identification and management of these difficulties are available in epilepsy clinics to optimise QoL for these adolescents.