Epilepsy Surgery and Health Education Improved Quality of Life in Children with Drug Resistant Epilepsy

Abstract

Background Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder that affects over 70 million people worldwide. Despite introduction of recent antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), there's about one-third of patients that suffer from epilepsy also have seizures refractory to pharmacotherapy. Aim of the Work To study the effect of epilepsy surgery and health education on seizure control, sleep, and quality of life in children with drug resistant epilepsy (DRE) postoperative. Patients and Methods This was an observational study that relied on data collection, health education on 30 children operated upon for DRE and their families throughout a 6-month period. Data collected included Chalfont Seizure severity scale (CSSS), Quality of life (QOL) questionnaire, IQ assessment, total sleep habits questionnaire (CQHQ), EEG and Engel scale after epilepsy surgery. Results Enrolled children age ranged between 4-18 years with a mean age of 7.8 ± 3.8 years, of which (65.6%) were males. There was a significant reduction in CSSS after surgery from (78.5 ± 30.1) to (60.3 ± 33.6), quality of life from (91.3 ± 20.9) to (80.5 ± 18.1), and in CSHQ from (33.7 ± 10.2) to (25.1 ± 8.3). IQ increased after surgery from (46.7 ± 15.7) to (50.2 ± 16.5); P value <0.001 for all. Mean reduction of Chalfont scale was 24.73% (range from 0 % to 70%). Quality of life was 10.98% (range from 0% to 36.2%), CSHQ was 23.03% (range from 0% to 70%) and mean IQ increase was 8.31% (range from 0% to 50%). There was an improvement in seizure control as Engel classification postoperatively. In Engel (I) 3.1% were A and 3.1% were D. In Engel (II) 3.1% were A, 3.1% were B and 3.1% were D. In Engel (III) 28.1% were A and 3.1% were D. In Engel (IV) 15.6% were A, 28.1% were B and 9.4% were C. Conclusion Epilepsy surgery can effectively improve QOL in children with medicationresistant seizures, through sustained seizure freedom, which was associated with the greatest improvement in life quality, IQ and sleep habits.