Psychological outcome profiles in childhood-onset temporal lobe epilepsy

To examine the effect of childhood-onset temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) on long-term psychological function and to identify outcome profiles related to the natural course and treatment of TLE.

Psychological function was studied in a prospective, community-based cohort of childhood-onset TLE, approximately 13 years following seizure onset. Fifty-three patients were assessed using a semi-structured psychosocial interview, supplemented by self-report questionnaires measuring quality-of-life, depression, self-esteem, and anxiety.

Common patterns were observed, giving rise to four distinct patient groups and psychological outcomes: (1) patients who experienced spontaneous remission of their seizures fared best; their psychological profile was characterized by heightened worry about the possibility of seizure recurrence; (2) patients who progressed to surgery and were seizure free reported adjustment difficulties associated with learning to become "well"; (3) patients who progressed to surgery and were not seizure free had the poorest psychological outcomes, with depression featuring prominently; and (4) patients with ongoing intractable epilepsy reported psychological and social features consistent with the effects of their chronic illness.

Patients with childhood-onset TLE face distinctive long-term psychological challenges. The specific nature of these challenges can be understood in terms of the natural evolution and treatment of their epilepsy.