Long-Term Behavioural Problems in Youth with Childhood-Onset Epilepsy

Rebecca Grace Couper, The University of Western Ontario

Abstract

Children with epilepsy are impacted far beyond having seizures, as children with epilepsy often have more psychiatric and behavioural problems than the general population. Whether these problems remain at elevated rates in the long-term is unclear. This study revealed that the prevalence of long-term behavioural problems in youth with childhood-onset epilepsy did not differ significantly from the assessment normative data. Multivariable regression was used to assess associations of baseline and current characteristics with long-term behavioural problems. No associations with baseline characteristics were found, but current attitude towards epilepsy was associated with total, internalizing, and externalizing behavioural problems while seizure control was associated with internalizing behavioural problems. These findings show that long-term behavioural problems in youth with childhood-onset epilepsy are not significantly elevated, and though there are not any associations with baseline characteristics, there are some associations with current characteristics that could make identifying and reducing behavioural problems easier.