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Behavioral health in young adults with epilepsy: Implications for transition of care

Janelle L Wagner1, Dulaney A Wilson2, Tanja Kellermann3

  • 1College of Nursing, Medical University of South Carolina, United States; Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Medical University of South Carolina, United States; Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, United States.

Epilepsy & Behavior : E&B
|November 10, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Young adults with epilepsy face significantly higher risks for neurodevelopmental and behavioral health disorders compared to those with migraine or fractures. This highlights a critical need for specialized care during the transition to adulthood.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Psychiatry
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Epilepsy is frequently associated with neurodevelopmental and behavioral health disorders.
  • The specific risks for young adults with epilepsy remain largely uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence and risk factors of neurodevelopmental and behavioral health comorbidities in young adults with epilepsy.
  • To compare these risks against young adults with migraine and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study design was employed, analyzing hospital admission, outpatient, and emergency department data.
  • Participants included young adults (19-25 years) diagnosed with epilepsy, migraine, or lower extremity fracture (LEF).
  • Statistical analysis involved univariate and multivariate polytomous logistic regression to assess comorbidity associations.

Main Results:

  • Young adults with epilepsy exhibited higher proportions of behavioral health comorbidities (51.8%) than migraine (37.6%) or LEF (21.6%) groups.
  • Epilepsy was associated with a 76% increased risk of behavioral health and a 297% increased risk of neurodevelopmental comorbidities compared to migraine.
  • Adjusted analyses confirmed significantly higher odds of all behavioral health comorbidities in young adults with epilepsy.

Conclusions:

  • Young adults with epilepsy are highly susceptible to neurodevelopmental and behavioral health disorders.
  • Findings underscore the importance of addressing these comorbidities during the transition from pediatric to adult healthcare systems.
Abstract

Keywords:
Behavioral health disordersNeurodevelopmental disordersPediatric epilepsyPsychiatric disordersTransition to adult care

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