Pre-Operative Predictors of Health-Related Quality of Life Two Years After Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery: A Prospective Cohort Study

Krishna Vamsi Rojulpote, Mary Lou Smith, Klajdi Puka, Kathy N. Speechley, Mark A. Ferro, Mary B. Connolly, Philippe Major, Anne Gallagher, Salah Almubarak, Simona Hasal, Rajesh Ramachandrannair, Andrea Andrade, Qi Xu, Edward Leung, O. Carter Snead, Elysa Widjaja*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: Seizure freedom is an important predictor of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) after pediatric epilepsy surgery. This study aimed to identify the pre-operative predictors of HRQOL 2 years after epilepsy surgery in children with drug-resistant epilepsy. Methods: This multicenter prospective cohort study assessed pre-operative predictors including child (demographics and clinical variables), caregiver (including caregiver depressive and anxiety symptoms) and family characteristics. HRQOL was assessed using the Quality of Life in Childhood Epilepsy Questionnaire (QOLCE)-55 pre-operatively and 2-years after surgery. Univariable linear regression analyses were done to identify significant preoperative predictors of HRQOL 2-years after surgery, followed by multivariable regression. Results: Ninety-five children underwent surgery, mean age was 11.4 (SD=4.2) years, and 59 (62%) were male. Mean QOLCE scores were 57.4 (95%CI: 53.8, 61.0) pre-operatively and 65.6 (95%CI: 62.0, 69.1) after surgery. Univariable regression showed fewer anti-seizure medications (ß=-6.1 [95%CI: -11.2, -1.0], p = 0.019), older age at seizure onset (ß=1.6 [95%CI: 0.8, 2.4], p<0.001), higher pre-operative HRQOL (ß=0.7 [95%CI: 0.5, 0.8], p<0.001), higher family resources (ß=0.6 [95%CI: 0.3, 0.9], p<0.001), better family relationships (ß=1.7 [95%CI: 0.3, 3.1], p = 0.017) and lower family demands (ß=-0.9 [95%CI: -1.5, -0.4], p<0.001) were associated with higher HRQOL after surgery. Caregiver characteristics did not predict HRQOL after surgery (p>0.05). Multivariable regression showed older age at seizure onset (ß=4.6 [95%CI: 1.6, 7.6], p = 0.003) and higher pre-operative HRQOL (ß=10.2 [95%CI: 6.8, 13.6], p<0.001) were associated with higher HRQOL after surgery. Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of optimizing pre-operative HRQOL to maximize HRQOL outcome after pediatric epilepsy surgery.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)196-202
Number of pages7
JournalSeizure
Volume111
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2023

Funding

This study was funded by a grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research ( MOP-133708 ).

Keywords

  • Health-related quality of life
  • Pediatric epilepsy surgery
  • Predictors

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neurology
  • Clinical Neurology

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