Epilepsy in emerging adulthood: clinical, psychosocial, and surgical challenges
Abstract number :
1.121
Submission category :
16. Epidemiology
Year :
2025
Submission ID :
248
Source :
www.aesnet.org
Presentation date :
12/6/2025 12:00:00 AM
Published date :
Authors :
Presenting Author: Graham McLeod, MD – University of Calgary
Colin B Josephson, MD MSc (physiol.) MSc (epidemiol.) – University of Calgary
Samuel Wiebe, MD MSc – University of Calgary
Rationale: Emerging adulthood (EA, ages 19-29) is a critical developmental period characterized by identity exploration, transition to adult roles, and ongoing brain maturation. While epilepsy impacts all ages, the specific challenges faced by emerging adults with epilepsy remain poorly characterized. This study comprehensively examined clinical, psychosocial, and surgical profiles of EA with epilepsy compared to other age groups.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 7,439 patients from the Calgary Comprehensive Epilepsy Programme registry, including 1,724 current EA (prevalent epilepsy) and 1,252 with EA-onset epilepsy (incident epilepsy). Demographics, clinical variables, patient-reported outcomes (PROMs), and substance use were compared across age groups (< 19, 19-29, >29 years). Additionally, we analyzed 451 consecutive epilepsy surgical procedures recorded in the University of Calgary surgical registry. A separate four-centre surgical satisfaction cohort of 240 adults (Calgary, Saskatoon, Montréal, Gothenburg, age groups: 19-29 versus >29 years) was also analyzed. Statistical analyses included Kruskal-Wallis, Chi-square tests with Bonferroni correction (p< 0.0016) and adjusted multinomial/ordinal logistic regressions (p< 0.05).
Epidemiology