title: Treatment factors affecting longitudinal quality of life in new onset pediatric epilepsy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Recognizing the importance of patient-reported outcomes, this longitudinal, prospective study examined: Changes in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) over seven months following antiepileptic drug (AED) initiation and the relationship of seizures, AED side-effects, and AED type to HRQOL.
  
  
  METHODS
  Parents of 124 children with newly diagnosed epilepsy completed measures of HRQOL and side-effects at each clinic visit. Treatment information was also collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HRQOL remained stable over time; however, seizures and AED side-effects significantly affected multiple HRQOL domains. Higher seizure activity was associated with decreased Physical HRQOL. Side-effects were negatively associated with all HRQOL domains. Children taking carbamazepine who experienced higher side-effects early in therapy demonstrated declining emotional functioning compared to children experiencing no/some side-effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AED side-effects, AED type, and seizure frequency were associated with longitudinal HRQOL in children with newly-diagnosed epilepsy. Routine assessment of AED side-effects and HRQOL may be useful for clinical decision making.
authors.affiliation: Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Center for the Promotion of Adherence and Self Management, MLC-7039, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA. avani.modi@cchmc.org
authors.forename: Avani C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Modi
authors.forename: Lisa M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Ingerski
authors.forename: Joseph R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Rausch
authors.forename: Tracy A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Glauser
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants