title: Early screening and identification of psychological comorbidities in pediatric epilepsy is necessary.
abstract: Youth with epilepsy often have co-occurring psychological symptoms that are due to underlying brain pathology, seizures, and/or antiepileptic drug side effects. The primary study aim was to compare the psychological comorbidities of youth with new-onset epilepsy versus chronic epilepsy. Primary caregivers of youth with either new-onset (n=82; M(age)=9.9±2.9) or chronic epilepsy (n=76; M(age)=12.8±3.3) completed the Behavioral Assessment Scale for Children-2nd Edition. Compared to those with new-onset epilepsy, the chronic group had significantly higher depressive and withdrawal symptoms, as well as lower activities of daily living. A higher proportion of youth with chronic epilepsy exhibited at-risk/clinically elevated depressive symptoms and difficulties with activities of daily living compared to the new-onset group. Proactive screening in youth with epilepsy to ensure timely identification of psychological symptoms and to guide early psychological intervention is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA. shanna.guilfoyle@cchmc.org
authors.forename: Shanna M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Guilfoyle
authors.forename: Janelle L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.forename: Gigi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Avani C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Modi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D009820:Ohio / Q000453:epidemiology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D002666:Psychology, Child; D012307:Risk Factors; D013022:South Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology