Epilepsy and proxy-reported health-related quality of life in children and young people with non-ambulatory cerebral palsy.
Adam P Ostendorf, Erika T Axeen, Krista Eschbach and 6 others
PMID 35820144WHAT IT FOUND
Children with severe cerebral palsy and epilepsy who took more anti-seizure medications had lower overall quality of life scores, even after accounting for how often they had seizures.
Any days with seizures in the last month also linked to lower quality of life.
Key findings
01Each additional anti-seizure medication was associated with a 3.3-point decrease in overall quality of life scores and a 2.3-point decrease in total CPCHILD scores.
02Having any days with seizures in the previous 28 days was associated with a decrease in overall quality of life scores of at least 10 points.
03Higher Child Opportunity Index scores, indicating greater neighborhood resources, were associated with lower health and emotion domain scores.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study was conducted at a single large academic center, which may limit the generalizability of findings to other settings. The sample lacked representation across specific demographics, particularly individuals who were neither White nor Black. The cross-sectional design cannot establish causality, only association. Data on specific caregiver education level and family structure were not captured, which could influence quality of life perceptions.
Declared interests
The study was supported by a grant from the Cerebral Palsy Research Network, and the authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that reducing the number of anti-seizure medications will automatically improve quality of life. The study shows an association, not a causal link, and medication changes must be carefully managed by a neurologist to avoid worsening seizure control.