The functional, social and economic impact of acute encephalitis syndrome in Nepal--a longitudinal follow-up study.
BACKGROUND
Over 133,000 children present to hospitals with Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) annually in Asia. Japanese encephalitis (JE) accounts for approximately one-quarter of cases; in most cases no pathogen is identified and management is supportive. Although JE is known to result in neurological impairment, few studies have examined the wider impact of JE and AES on patients and their families.


RESULTS
Children (aged 1 month-14 years) with AES were assessed 5-12 months after discharge from two Nepali hospitals. Assessment included clinical examination, the Liverpool Outcome Score (LOS) - a validated assessment of function following encephalitis, questionnaires about the child's social participation since discharge, and out-of-pocket costs to the family. Children were classified as JE or 'other AES' based on anti-JE virus antibody titres during acute illness. Contact was made with the families of 76% (73/96) of AES children. Six children had died and one declined participation. 48% (32/66) reported functional impairment at follow-up, most frequently affecting behaviour, language or limb use. Impairment was more frequent in JE compared to 'other AES' cases (68% [13/19] versus 40% [19/47]; p = 0.06). 49% (26/53) had improvement in LOS between discharge and follow-up. The median out-of-pocket cost to families, including medical bills, medication and lost earnings was US$ 1151 (10 times their median monthly income) for children with severe/moderate impairment and $524 (4.6 times their income) for those with mild/no impairment (P = 0.007). Acute admission accounted for 74% of costs. Social participation was limited in 21% of children (n = 14).


CONCLUSIONS
Prolonged functional impairment was common following AES. Economic impact to families was substantial. Encouragingly, almost half the children improved after discharge and most reported sustained social participation. This study highlights a need for long-term medical support following AES. Rationalisation of initial expensive hospital treatments may be warranted, especially since only supportive treatment is available.
Brain Infections Group, Department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom ; Department of Paediatric Neurology, Alder Hey Children's National Health Service Foundation Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Michael J
MJ
Griffiths
Jennifer V
JV
Lemon
Ajit
A
Rayamajhi
Prakash
P
Poudel
Pramina
P
Shrestha
Vijay
V
Srivastav
Rachel
R
Kneen
Antonieta
A
Medina-Lara
Rupa R
RR
Singh
Tom
T
Solomon
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017281:Cost of Illness; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D009390:Nepal / Q000453:epidemiology; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016019:Survival Analysis