%0 Journal Article
%T Comparative assessment of health-related quality of life with and without anticonvulsant therapy in patients with childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes.
%A An O
%A Nagae LM
%A Aringazina A
%A Winesett SP
%J J Int Med Res
%V 49
%N 8
%D Aug 2021
%M 34459274
%F 1.573
%R 10.1177/03000605211039805
%X <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>To estimate anti-seizure medication (ASM) treatment burden and its effects on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in new-onset childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (CECTS) using different treatment approaches in Kazakhstan.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Forty-three patients were followed prospectively during 2015 to 2020 for at least 2 years. Patients were divided into three groups: (1) history of ≤3 seizures (n = 32); (2) ≥4 seizures (n = 6); (3) cerebral palsy coexisting with CECTS (n = 5). The first group was subdivided into treated (n = 8) and observed (n = 24) subgroups. The shortened Quality of Life in Childhood Epilepsy Questionnaire (QOLCE-55) was completed by parents after 6 months of follow-up.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>At the end of the study, all children had a sustained remission from seizures for at least 2 years. Differences were identified in emotional, social, and physical subscales between patients in the low seizure frequency group. Signs of low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, limited social interaction owing to pharmacotherapy, painful medical procedures, and stigma were reasons for decreased HRQOL in the treated subgroup. Overall HRQOL in treated (89.2 ± 5.2) patients was significantly decreased compared with observed children with low seizure frequency (98.0 ± 3.0).<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>ASM therapy does not necessarily improve and may decrease HRQOL in children with low seizure frequency CECTS.