Adolescent and caregiver experiences with epilepsy.
Epilepsy during adolescence can impede the development of psychosocial independence and typical biological maturational processes. We examined in parallel the experiences and perceptions of adolescent patients with epilepsy and their caregivers. Specifically, we focused on frequency and type of seizures, comorbid conditions, adherence to therapies, productivity, clinical and quality of life consequences of seizures, estimated use and content of seizure emergency plans, and the patient-physician relationship. Two cross-sectional online surveys were conducted among 153 adolescent patients with epilepsy and their respective caregivers. A total of 35% of adolescents indicated that they had been nonadherent to antiepileptic medications in the prior month. Adolescents scored significantly lower compared with their peers on quality-of-life measures. Adolescents and caregivers reported similarly on nearly all domains. An adolescent-centered epilepsy management program may help alleviate concerns and also help the adolescent independently manage their epilepsy as they transition into adulthood.
Asato
Miya R
MR
Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
Manjunath
Ranjani
R
Sheth
Raj D
RD
Phelps
Stephanie J
SJ
Wheless
James W
JW
Hovinga
Collin A
CA
Pina-Garza
Jesus E
JE
Haskins
Lisa S
LS
Zingaro
Wendy M
WM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D011788:Quality of Life; D012640:Seizures / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D055815:Young Adult
D000927:Anticonvulsants