Abstracts

Rationale: Childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) is a neurological condition that typically has onset between the ages of 4 and 8 in children, accounting for 2% to 8% of patients with epilepsy. CAE seizures consist of brief, abrupt staring spells in which the child is unresponsive and usually lasts less than 10 seconds. Oftentimes, the child is unaware that a seizure has occurred. The long-term cognitive and developmental consequences associated with CAE are unknown, as most patients “outgrow” the condition. However, recent studies have reported greater risk of attention problems in pediatric epilepsy, with over 50% of CAE patients exhibiting symptoms associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Methods: The current study aimed to delineate differences in symptoms associated with ADHD among CAE patients and control subjects using the Behavior Assessment System for Children Parent Rating Scales (BASC-PRS), a comprehensive measure of a child’s adaptive and problem behaviors in community and home settings. Subjects were recruited from the community via advertisements or referral from their neurologist. Our cohort consisted of 43 subjects with CAE (ages 7-18) and 58 controls that were matched for age, sex, and socioeconomic status using t-tests or Chi-square comparisons. Socioeconomic status information was obtained via self-report using the Hollingshead Four Factor Scale. The BASC-PRS and the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI) were administered to all subjects, and group differences were analyzed using ANOVA and independent sample t-tests. Results: No significant differences were found between groups in regards to age (p > 0.20), gender, (p > 0.24), and socioeconomic status, (p > 0.05). Differences were found in intelligence with controls scoring higher (p = 0.004), although subjects in both groups obtained IQ scores falling generally at or above the average range. Statistical differences between the groups were found on both global scales of the BASC-PRS associated with ADHD: Hyperactivity (p = 0.005) and Attention Problems (p<0.001). Item analysis within the Hyperactivity scale revealed a number of statistical differences, including items specific to “needs too much supervision,” “is overly active,” and “fiddles with things while at meals.” Attention Problem items such as “forgets things,” “has a short attention span,” “has trouble concentrating,” and “is easily distracted” were also significant. Conclusions: Our findings suggest a greater prevalence of ADHD-related symptoms in CAE patients as compared to controls. This difference is more pronounced in functional areas associated with attention problems, thereby increasing distractibility as well as impacting ability to sustain attention and concentration. Recognizing that CAE patients are at greater risk for ADHD symptoms and providing adequate assessment and treatment will help minimize cognitive development issues. Special requests: No Saturday Poster Presentation (religious reasons)