B.05 The importance of mental health in improving quality of life in transition-aged patients with epilepsy

Abstract

Background: Growing evidence has that a suggested that mental health strongly influences quality of life (QoL) in adolescents with epilepsy. In addition, research has suggested that these mental health issues are associated with increased seizure burden and worsened health outcomes. Despite this, and the elevated rate of mental health issues in this population, seizure control tends to be the dominant or sole concern for treating physicians. Methods: In order to look at potential predictors of QoL in adolescents we looked at seizure related data, demographic variables, and comorbid conditions in 70 adolescents with epilepsy aged 14 to 18 (M= 16.3l; 37 males, 33 females) enrolled into an epilepsy transition clinic. Results: Regression analysis found that mental health remained a significant and independent predictor of QoL even when other significant seizure related variables were accounted for (t(58)= -3.44, p= .001). Furthermore, when looking at the individual subscales of patient QoL (e.g., memory, social support, stigma), mental health was consistently found to be the strongest correlate. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that in order to ensure the best outcomes for transition-aged adolescents with epilepsy, it is important to not only manage and treat seizures, but also to assess and treat mental health issues.