Abstracts

Can Quality of Life Scores Predict Mental Health Issues in Transition Aged Adolescents with Epilepsy?

Abstract number : 2.339
Submission category : 6. Cormorbidity (Somatic and Psychiatric)
Year : 2024
Submission ID : 128
Source : www.aesnet.org
Presentation date : 12/8/2024 12:00:00 AM
Published date :

Authors :
Presenting Author: Sarah Healy, MSc., PhD student – Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO)

Katherine Muir, MD – University Of Ottawa-Children's Hospital Of Eastern Ontario
Juan Toro Perez, MD, MSc, CSCN (EEG) – Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO)
Nicholas Mitsakakis, PhD – Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO)
Andrea Andrade, MD – Children's Health Research Institute
Sharon Whiting, MB BS FRCPC – University of Ottawa
Maryam Nouri, MD – Children's Health Research Institute

Rationale: The high rates of mental illness in transitioned-aged adolescents is well documented in the literature. Given the current increased strain on mental health systems, and the long wait times faced by those in need of services, it has become critical to address mental health symptoms as early as possible. In order to look at potential early predictors of mental health issues, the relation between baseline variables and mental health scores at one-year follow-up were examined.

Methods: Baseline data and 1-year follow-up depression and anxiety scores from 61 transition-aged adolescents (M=15.69 years; 32 males, 29 females) enrolled in an epilepsy transition clinic were analyzed for this study.

Results: Results from a multiple regression showed that baseline quality of life (QoL) scores were the strongest predictor of future mental health scores; even when accounting for baseline mental health scores. Looking at the individual QoL subscales, regression analyses showed that school behaviour (p< .001), epilepsy impact (p=.001), social support (p=.027), and physical functioning (p=.031) were significant predictors of follow-up anxiety scores. The regression model with these four predictors was significant (F(4, 42)= 5.454. p=.001). When looking at depression, epilepsy impact (p< .001), school behaviour (p=.005), and attitudes towards epilepsy (p=.047) were significant predictors of follow-up depression scores. The regression model with these three predictors was also significant (F(3, 54)= 5.472. p=.002).

Conclusions: Results suggest the importance of considering a patient’s perceived quality of life when attempting to understand the development of mental health symptoms in transition-aged adolescents with epilepsy.

Funding: Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

Cormorbidity (Somatic and Psychiatric)