Risk factors affecting quality of life in children with epilepsy and their caregivers: A secondary analysis of a cross-sectional online survey in Japan.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) in children with epilepsy and their caregivers, as well as the caregiver burden, through a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional online survey in Japan.

METHODS

Eligible participants were caregivers of children (aged < 18 years) diagnosed with epilepsy. Children's QOL was measured using the daily living subset of the Japanese version of the Quality of Life in Children with Epilepsy (QOLCE-Js52). Caregiver QOL and burden were measured using the physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) of the Short Form-8 (SF-8) and the short Japanese version of the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview (J-ZBI_8).

RESULTS

Between March 2023 and May 2023, 1,147 caregivers completed the survey. Most caregivers (n = 1,144, 99.7 %) were parents. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) QOLCE-Js52 score was 68.3 (14.2). The mean (SD) scores of the PCS and MCS of the SF-8 were 46.5 (4.5) and 43.7 (5.1), respectively, which were significantly lower than those of the general Japanese population (p < 0.001 for both means). The mean (SD) J-ZBI_8 score was 4.9 (7.1), with 13.2 % of caregivers scoring at least 13, a predictor of depression. Multivariable regression analysis showed that disability was a significant risk factor for lower QOL and increased caregiver burden (p < 0.001). Frequent seizures, emergency transportation, and longer epilepsy duration were associated with poorer QOL in children and caregivers.

CONCLUSION

Risk factors, such as emergency transport, may be mitigated by rescue medication in non-hospital settings.