Psychopathology, quality of life and risk factors in children and adolescents with recent-onset epilepsy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to describe the distribution, timing, and risk factors for psychopathology and to further examine the quality of life (QoL) in an Italian sample of children with recent onset epilepsy. Sociodemographic and psychosocial variables, family factors, as well as illness-related factors themselves were examined in order to clarify the relationship among these variables, psychopathology and QoL. METHODS: For this purpose, 49 children and adolescents (4-18 years), consecutively referred to a Neurophysiology Service, were evaluated by a multidisciplinary team using dimensional as well as categorical instruments both self-administered (self-report and proxy-report) and interviewer administered. RESULTS: Forty-five percent of the patients exhibited one or more Axis I disorders (DSM-IV) when evaluated with K-SADS-PL interview. It's worth noting that preadolescent and adolescent patients tend to underestimate their problems compared to their parents'opinion, when answering self-administer questionnaires. Self-reported QoL appeared to be generally satisfactory. Social and family factor, as well as epilepsy related factors appeared to be linked both to the presence of psychopathology and to the QoL. Patients affected by psychiatric disorders exhibited the poorest QoL. CONCLUSIONS: Also after many years from the onset, childhood epilepsy frequently fosters negative consequences in terms of social life, work, psychopathology and life expectancy. The ability of health services and public health measures to prevent and treat psychiatric comorbidity may have a pivotal role in enhancing patients' QoL.

Sociodemographic characteristics, risk factors and psychobehavioral disorders associated to alcohol consumption in adolescents of Veneto.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to estimate the alcohol consumption in a large student population in Veneto (North Italy) and to identify possible psychosocial factors associated, with particular attention to the relationship between alcohol consumption and psychopathological vulnerability. METHODS: Two semi-structured questionnaires were administered: the Questionnaire for Adolescents' Saturday evening, ad hoc designed for the study, which investigates the habits and alcohol consumption patterns, and the Youth Self Report which assesses the possible presence of psychic and behavioral problems. We recruited 10,465 students attending secondary and high schools in two Venetian provinces (age range 11-19 years). Frequency and amount of alcohol consumption were analyzed in relation to socio-demographic characteristics, habits, and vulnerability to psycho-behavioral problems. RESULTS: Data confirmed the high occurrence of alcohol consumption among young people (36.5%), with a higher prevalence among males (58,0%); the frequency of consumption and the amount of alcohol in taking increase with age, in greater measure after the transition to higher education level (10.4% in secondary school, 36,% in first year till 50% in third year of high school). Alcohol misuse was associated with: pubs and clubs attendance, coming back home late, a greater availability of money and externalizing behavioral problems. CONCLUSIONS: Results from this study confirmed the worrying data about the prevalence of alcohol misuse among young people, pointing out some protective and risk factors to be taken into account in planning of preventive interventions.