title: Memory and health-related quality of life in severe pediatric epilepsy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this paper was to investigate the contributions of sociodemographic, neurologic, and neuropsychological variables to health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children with epilepsy and high seizure burden. Focus was placed on the relationship between memory and HRQoL, which has not been previously investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety children with epilepsy receiving clinical care at a tertiary-level children's hospital were retrospectively identified. Primary assessment measures were verbal memory (California Verbal Learning Test-Children's Version) and HRQoL. Other neuropsychological variables included intellectual function, executive function, emotional and behavioral function, and adaptive function. Sociodemographic and neurologic variables were extracted from chart review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant correlations were found between HRQoL and sociodemographic or neurologic variables. Moderate correlations were found between neuropsychological variables and HRQoL. Emotional function (Child Behavior Checklist) and verbal memory (California Verbal Learning Test-Children's Version) emerged as significant predictor variables of HRQoL. Low verbal memory was associated with a twofold risk of low HRQoL, emotional and behavioral difficulty with a 10-fold risk, and the combination of emotional and behavioral difficulty and low verbal memory with a 17-fold risk.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Verbal memory and emotional and behavioral difficulty are associated with increased risk of low HRQoL, even when other important variables are considered in children with high seizure burden. The results reinforce the importance of neuropsychological assessment in clinical care in pediatric epilepsy and suggest important areas of focus for psychological intervention.
authors: Alberta Children's Hospital, Neurosciences, 2888 Shaganappi Trail NW, Calgary, AB, Canada T3B 6A8. marianne.hrabok@albertahealthservices.ca
authors: Marianne
authors: M
authors: Hrabok
authors: Elisabeth M S
authors: EM
authors: Sherman
authors: Luis
authors: L
authors: Bello-Espinosa
authors: Walter
authors: W
authors: Hader
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D000416:Alberta; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012153:Retention, Psychology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012803:Sick Role; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D014706:Verbal Learning; D055815:Young Adult