Quality of life epilepsy in childhood: Comparison between well-controlled epilepsy and non epilepsy

Abstract

Quality of life is an important parameter in assessing the efficacy of medical interventions. Chronic diseases such as
epilepsy, have a significant impact on quality of life. Childhood epilepsy is often associated with low achievement in
school, physical limitations, and disturbed social functions. The purpose of this study was to compare the quality of
life of well-controlled epileptic children with non epileptic children. This research was conducted with cross-sectional
study design with respondents aged 5-18 years old. All respondents were well-controlled epileptic and non epileptic
children who were admitted to the Pediatric Polyclinic of Dr. Sardjito General Hospital, Yogyakarta, Indonesia in the
period of March until June 2010. Measurement of quality of life was conducted by filling out the questionnaire
Pediatrics Quality of Life (PedsQL) that directly obtained from the children who were accompanied by their parent.
Lower total score of PedsQL showed better quality of life. The results showed that mean total score of PedsQL on
well-controlled epileptic children (38.31±1.6) was higher than non epileptic children (8.84±0.90). Prevalence ratio
of controlled epileptic children was 2.69 (95% CI: 2.01-3.58). In conclusion, well-controlled epileptic children had
lower quality of life than non epileptic children. The factors that affect quality of life of well-controlled epileptic
children were duration of suffering from epilepsy and age at diagnosis of epilepsy.
Key words: quality of life – well-controlled epileptic children - PedsQL – physical function – emotional functionsocial
function