Knowledge about, and attitudes towards epilepsy among school staff: A UK-based survey.

OBJECTIVE: To survey attitudes towards, and knowledge about, epilepsy among school staff in a defined geographical region in the United Kingdom. METHODS: School staff (n = 160) from 18 schools (56% of eligible schools) where children with epilepsy were currently attending were surveyed. Surveys were developed in collaboration with educational professionals. Questions focussed on attitudes towards, and knowledge about, epilepsy. Factors associated with attitudes and knowledge were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: The majority of staff expressed positive attitudes towards the inclusion of children with epilepsy in school, although for most questions there was a significant minority who expressed less positive views. Only 30% of staff agreed that they would feel confident managing a child having a seizure whilst 42% of all staff would be concerned if they had to administer emergency medication. Regarding knowledge, half (50%) of respondents correctly indicated that a child who has a seizure should not always leave the classroom, whilst 54% knew that an ambulance should not always be called every time a child has a seizure. Regarding seizure semiology, almost all respondents (96%) answered 'yes' when asked if seizures could involve convulsions/limb jerking or whole-body convulsions. The vast majority (94%) also identified that seizures could involve 'staring blankly into space'. From a list of eight medical/neurodevelopmental conditions, epilepsy was the condition staff ranked of most concern. Factors independently associated with more positive attitudes and better knowledge included working in a special school as opposed to a mainstream school, having previously witnessed a seizure, and having been in receipt of training on epilepsy (all p < 0.05). Most respondents expressed a desire for more training on seizure management and on the learning and behavioral aspects of epilepsy. CONCLUSION: Whilst attitudes toward children with epilepsy are largely positive, epilepsy was the condition staff were most concerned about. Additionally, attitudes towards seizure management and administration of emergency medication in school are less positive, and knowledge of correct actions in the event of seizures in the classroom is deficient in nearly half of respondents. More positive attitudes and better knowledge were associated with previous experience of witnessing seizures, working in special schools, and having received epilepsy training. School staff in UK schools are likely to benefit from access to training on epilepsy in order to improve attitudes and increase knowledge and confidence towards supporting a child with epilepsy in their classroom.

Perceived impact of epilepsy on sleep: Views of children with epilepsy, parents and school staff.

OBJECTIVE: To gain an understanding of the views of school-aged children with epilepsy, their parents, and school staff regarding the impact of epilepsy on sleep. METHODS: As part of the What I Need in School (WINS) study, school-aged children (n = 18) with 'active epilepsy' (taking Anti-Seizure Medications, ASMs, for epilepsy), their parents (n = 68) and school staff (n = 56) were interviewed or completed bespoke questionnaires. Questions focussed on the potential impact of epilepsy on the child's sleep or tiredness in school and the potential impact of sleep/tiredness on learning and behavior. RESULTS: Fifty-six percent of children believed that epilepsy affects their sleep while 65% of parents believed that their child had more difficulties with sleep than other children of their age. Seventy-eight percent of parents believed that their child's difficulties were due to epilepsy and 95% believed that their child's difficulties impacted their learning and behavior. Fifty-four percent of school staff believed that the child with epilepsy they supported was more tired/fatigued than their peers, and 86% of school staff believed that the child's increased tiredness affected their learning/behavior. Parents of children with intellectual disabilitiy were significantly more likely to indicate that they felt that their child had more sleep difficulties than other children (p = 0.016). Regarding the impact on their sleep, participating children felt that epilepsy contributed to difficulties in falling and staying asleep and daytime tiredness. Their parents reported a range of potential sleep difficulties and potential impacts on the child's learning and behavior. Parental reported difficulties included daytime tiredness, difficulty falling and staying asleep, and the impact of nocturnal seizures. In terms of impact, parents felt that sleep difficulties impacted negatively cognition and emotional-behavioral functioning. Additionally, parents reported that ASMs and medication for ADHD can contribute to sleep difficulties. School staff felt that many of the children appeared tired/fatigued during the day and this could lead to less engagement with classroom activities, impact attention and processing speed negatively, and contribute to behavioral and emotional difficulties. CONCLUSION: The majority of children and parents who responded believed that epilepsy affects the child's sleep. Most parents and school staff also believed that the child's sleep difficulties/excess tiredness were due to the child's epilepsy and that the difficulties significantly impacted the child's learning and behavior. There is a need to better understand the role epilepsy plays in sleep difficulties and associated learning and behavioral impairments. There is also a need to develop interventions to reduce the subsequent impact on child learning and behavior.

Impact of epilepsy on learning and behaviour and needed supports: Views of children, parents and school staff.

BACKGROUND: There is limited data on the views of young people with epilepsy, their parents and school staff regarding the impact of epilepsy on learning and behaviour in school. The purpose of the study was to gain an understanding of the impact of epilepsy on learning and behaviour and needed supports according to children with epilepsy, their parents and supporting school staff. METHODS: School-aged children (n = 20) with 'active epilepsy' (taking anti-seizure Medications (ASMs) for epilepsy), their parents (n = 68) and school staff (n = 56) were interviewed or completed surveys. The quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics and responses were compared for children attending mainstream and special schools using chi-square analyses. The answers to open questions were answered using thematic analyses. RESULTS: The majority (53%) of children with epilepsy felt that epilepsy affected their learning including aspects such as memory, attention and concentration but also physical and emotional wellbeing including increased tiredness and lowered self-confidence. In addition, children brought up possible negative aspects of taking ASMs including increased irritability and emotional reactivity. The children also mentioned that epilepsy in school was associated with stigma and restrictions. The majority (85%) of parents agreed that epilepsy affects the child's learning/behaviour while more staff agreed that epilepsy affects learning (61%) than behaviour (45%). Most parents agreed that that their child's school provided the appropriate resources to support their child's learning (79%) and 72% agreed that they were satisfied overall with the support their child received at school. However, parents of children attending special schools were more likely to agree that the child's school provided appropriate resources to support their child's learning (p = 0.034) and be satisfied with the support their child received in school (p = 0.02), than parents of children attending mainstream schools. With respect to current or desired supports, analysis of the children's responses indicated that they want access to supportive environments outside the classroom, accommodations in tests/exams and increased support from trusted adults. Parent responses included approaches that promote child wellbeing, environmental accommodations, a high ratio of adult support and a consideration of the child's communication needs. Staff views regarding optimal strategies included a high level of adult support for the child, environmental accommodations, use of multimodal learning, adapting communication and approaches that promote psychological wellbeing. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of children perceived that epilepsy affected their learning and behaviour in school including leading to specific learning difficulties, but also negative impacts on emotional and physical wellbeing. Levels of parental satisfaction with supports were significantly higher in special schools compared with mainstream schools. Children, parents and staff highlighted a number of supports which they felt can support the child with epilepsy's learning but also emotional wellbeing.

Biallelic DNAJC3 variants in a neuroendocrine developmental disorder with insulin dysregulation.

DNAJC3, a co-chaperone of BiP, is a member of the heat shock protein family. These proteins are produced in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to counter cell stress resulting from healthy functional protein processing. Dysregulation of unfolded proteins within the ER is implicated as a mechanism of genetic disease. Examples include Marinesco-Sjogren and Wolcott-Rallison syndromes that share similar clinical features, manifesting neurodegenerative disease and endocrine dysfunction. Recently, loss of function mutations in DNAJC3 was associated with syndromic diabetes mellitus in three families. The full phenotype included neurodegeneration, ataxia, deafness, neuropathy, adolescent-onset diabetes mellitus, growth hormone deficiency and hypothyroidism. A subsequent report of two unrelated individuals extended the phenotype to include early-onset hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia. Here, we describe two siblings that recapitulate this extended phenotype in association with a homozygous novel mutation in the final exon of DNAJC3 [c.1367_1370delAGAA (p.Lys456SerfsTer85)] resulting in protein elongation predicted to abrogate the functional J domain. This report confirms DNAJC3 as a cause of syndromic congenital hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia. Currently, PanelApp only includes this gene on diabetes mellitus panels. We propose DNAJC3 should be promoted from a red to a green gene on a wider number of panels to improve the diagnosis of this rare condition.

Inclusion and participation of children with epilepsy in schools: Views of young people, school staff and parents.

OBJECTIVE: To gain an understanding of the views of children with epilepsy, their parents and staff regarding inclusion and participation of children with epilepsy in school. METHODS: During the study period, 136 children with 'active' epilepsy (taking anti-seizure Medications (ASMs) for epilepsy), were identified in the study area and of these 68 (50% of those eligible) families agreed to participate. Children (n = 20) with 'active epilepsy' their parents (n = 68) and staff (n = 56) were interviewed or completed surveys. The quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square analyses. The answers to open questions were analysed using thematic analyses. RESULTS: Staff in mainstream schools were more concerned about the child's attendance than staff in special schools (p = 0.008).Parents and school staff cited a number of negative aspects of the child's attendance difficulties including social-emotional and academic aspects. The majority of parents and staff felt that young people with epilepsy were included in school to the same extent as peers. Parents were however, significantly less likely than staff to agree that children were included in all playground activities (p = 0.045). Parents of children in special schools were more likely to agree that their child was included in school than parents of children attending mainstream schools (p = 0.041). Thematic analysis revealed that parents felt that their child could be excluded in school due to staff decisions, child's own choice and peer led exclusion. The majority of children (64%) and parents (56%) agreed that the child with epilepsy was restricted from doing things their peers could do because of their epilepsy. While more than half of children with epilepsy (63%) reported that they had been bullied, most did not attribute this bullying to having epilepsy. Parents were more likely to agree that their child was bullied because of their epilepsy (p = 0.035) and non-epilepsy reasons than staff (p<0.001). Parents of children with epilepsy attending mainstream schools were more likely to agree that their child was bullied because of their epilepsy (p = 0.017) and non-epilepsy reasons (p = 0.026), compared to parents of children with epilepsy attending special schools. CONCLUSIONS: School attendance difficulties for children with epilepsy can contribute to academic and social-emotional difficulties. Most parents and teachers feel that children with epilepsy are included in classroom activities to the same extent as peers. Children with epilepsy and their parents believe that they are more restricted in non-classroom activities compared with their peers. Difficulties with participation, friendships and bullying for children with epilepsy may be due to presence of other conditions as opposed to epilepsy per se. There is a need to increase understanding of the wide ranging impact of epilepsy on school life in order to enhance attendance and inclusion and to reduce bullying.

Epilepsy in schools: Views on educational and therapeutic provision, understanding of epilepsy and seizure management.

OBJECTIVE: To gain an understanding of the views of young people with epilepsy, their parents and school staff regarding educational and therapeutic provision, understanding of epilepsy and seizure management in schools. METHODS: School-aged children (n = 20) with 'active epilepsy' (taking Anti-Seizure Medications (ASMs) for epilepsy), their parents (n = 68), and school staff (n = 56) were interviewed or completed bespoke questionnaires. In addition, all participating children underwent psychological assessment including measures of behavior and cognition. RESULTS: Only 15% of participating children had received psychological support despite 60% scoring within the at-risk range on a measure of behavioral and emotional difficulties. More than half of the responding children reported that some of their teachers and friends did not know that they had epilepsy. A significant minority of parents (32%) did not feel that the child's transition from preschool to primary, or primary to secondary school was managed well. Knowledge of the child's epilepsy was felt to be significantly better in special schools than mainstream schools according to both parents and school staff. Staff in special schools perceived they were more knowledgeable about the child's ASMs and changes to ASMs than staff in mainstream schools. Staff in special schools were significantly more likely to have received training on general aspects of epilepsy, seizure management, and impacts on learning and/or behavior. Parental interviews indicated difficulties accessing educational and therapeutic supports. Parents often felt that they had to drive the process to gain supports themselves. They also reported limited professional support, and inadequate communication between themselves and the school and school staff and medical/therapeutic professionals regarding their child's needs. Parents would like more school staff to recognize the impacts of epilepsy on learning and behavior and to support their child more holistically. Many parents wanted more resources for assessment and therapeutic provision in relation to their child's learning, behavior, and emotions. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of epilepsy is felt by parents and staff to be significantly better in special schools compared with mainstream schools. Parents highlighted the need for increased knowledge of the impacts of epilepsy on learning and behavior and perceived a need for more resources for assessment of these difficulties.

Physical activity in paid work time for desk-based employees: a qualitative study of employers' and employees' perspectives.

BACKGROUND: Poor physical and mental health of employees create significant problems in the workplace. Physical activity (PA) has been shown as an effective strategy for preventing and treating numerous physical and mental health issues as well as work performance outcomes. However, there are many barriers to taking part in PA (such as lack of time) with participation rates typically low. Providing PA in paid work time might be a way to overcome these issues, yet employers' and employees' opinions of this concept are unknown. The aim of this study was to explore employee and employer perspectives of PA in paid work time. METHODS: Workplaces were recruited through existing contacts on the research team. Focus groups and interviews were conducted with employees and managers at one University and two executive non-departmental public bodies in central Scotland with mainly desk-based employees. Both managers and employees were involved to gain perspectives throughout the organisational hierarchy and were interviewed separately to reduce social desirability bias. All discussions were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed thematically for both managers and employees but due to significant overlap in themes between the groups, these are reported together in the results. RESULTS: Three out of five organisations approached took part in this qualitative study. Two individual interviews were held with strategic managers, five focus groups with middle managers (n = 16) and nine with employees (n = 45). Benefits were anticipated by managers and employees for both employees themselves and the organisation and included improved mental health, productivity and more favourable perceptions of the employer. Despite these widely acknowledged benefits, significant barriers were identified and included the structure and nature of the working day (high workload, front line job requirements), workplace culture and norms (resentment from colleagues, no break culture) and organisational concerns (cost of lost time, public perceptions). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that there are significant barriers to PA in paid work time. Whilst numerous anticipated benefits were conveyed by both employees and managers, PA in paid work time is unlikely to become common place until changes in attitudes and the culture towards movement at work occur.

Autism, ADHD and parent-reported behavioural difficulties in young children with epilepsy.

PURPOSE: To provide data on the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and parent reported behaviour difficulties in young children with epilepsy, and to compare results with children with neurodisability (neurodevelopmental/neurological difficulties) without epilepsy. METHOD: Children with epilepsy (1-7 years, n = 48) and children with neurodisability (1-7 years, n = 48) matched for gender, chronological and developmental age underwent psychological assessment. Parents completed measures of behaviour including the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). DSM-5 diagnoses of ASD and ADHD were made at consensus case conferences. Factors associated with child behaviour were analysed using linear regression. RESULTS: Of the children with epilepsy, 18% met ASD criteria and 40% met ADHD criteria (corresponding figures in the non-epilepsy group were 41% and 27%). A large proportion (76%-78%) in both groups scored in the at-risk range on the SDQ and frequently had difficulties across multiple behavioural domains. Children with epilepsy had more concerns expressed regarding attention and mood. None of the epilepsy factors were significantly associated with scores on the behavioural measures. SIGNIFICANCE: Young children with epilepsy had a very high level of parent reported behavioural difficulties and a high risk for ADHD and ASD highlighting the need for comprehensive multidisciplinary assessment. Behavioural concerns were not greater than for other children with non-epilepsy related neurodisability with the exception of attention and mood. Epilepsy related factors were not associated with child behaviour, suggesting that seizures per se do not confer a unique risk for behavioural difficulties.

The James Lind Initiative: books, websites and databases to promote critical thinking about treatment claims, 2003 to 2018.

BACKGROUND: The James Lind Initiative (JLI) was a work programme inaugurated by Iain Chalmers and Patricia Atkinson to press for better research for better health care. It ran between 2003 and 2018, when Iain Chalmers retired. During the 15 years of its existence, the JLI developed three strands of work in collaboration with the authors of this paper, and with others. WORK THEMES: The first work strand involved developing a process for use by patients, carers and clinicians to identify shared priorities for research - the James Lind Alliance. The second strand was a series of articles, meetings, prizes and other developments to raise awareness of the massive amounts of avoidable waste in research, and of ways of reducing it. The third strand involved using a variety of approaches to promote better public and professional understanding of the importance of research in clinical practice and public health. JLI work on the first two themes has been addressed in previously published reports. This paper summarises JLI involvement during the 15 years of its existence in giving talks, convening workshops, writing books, and creating websites and databases to promote critical thinking about treatment claims. CONCLUSION: During its 15-year life, the James Lind Initiative worked collaboratively with others to create free teaching and learning resources to help children and adults learn how to recognise untrustworthy claims about the effects of treatments. These resources have been translated in more than twenty languages, but much more could be done to support their uptake and wider use.

Global development and adaptive behaviour in children with early-onset epilepsy: a population-based case-control study.

AIM: There are limited population-based data on global development and adaptive behaviour in children with early-onset epilepsy. The aims of this study were: (1) to identify the prevalence of deficits in global development and adaptive behaviour experienced by children with early-onset epilepsy; (2) to identify factors associated with such deficits; and (3) to compare the relationship between measures of neurodevelopment in the group with epilepsy to a group without epilepsy who had other neurological or neurodevelopmental difficulties. METHOD: The Sussex Early Epilepsy and Neurobehaviour study is a prospective, community-based study involving children (1-7y) with epilepsy. We undertook comprehensive psychological assessment with participants, including measures of global development and adaptive behaviour. We compared the children with epilepsy with a sex, age, and developmentally-matched group of children without epilepsy who had neurodevelopmental or neurological difficulties using correlation matrices. RESULTS: Forty-eight children (91% of the eligible population) with epilepsy underwent assessment. Seventy-one per cent of children displayed delayed global development (<2SD) and 56% showed significant deficits (<2SD) in adaptive behaviour. Our analysis revealed that non-white ethnicity and use of polytherapy were independently associated with decreased scores on measures of global development and adaptive behaviour. The correlations between measures of developmental functioning were higher in children with epilepsy than in those without. INTERPRETATION: Children with early-onset epilepsy frequently have difficulties with global development and adaptive behaviour. The higher correlations between neurodevelopmental measures in children with epilepsy suggest that the profile in children with epilepsy is different. This may have significant implications for both neuropathology and interventions. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: Children with early-onset epilepsy are at significant risk of intellectual disability. Developmental impairment is associated with use of polytherapy but not with any seizure parameters. Developmental profiles in young children with epilepsy differ from other conditions.

Experiences and needs of parents of young children with active epilepsy: A population-based study.

The aim of the study was to gain a comprehensive understanding of the experiences and needs of parents of young children with epilepsy from a total population sample. The parents (mothers (n = 38), fathers (n = 9)) of 40/53 (75% of total population) young children (1-7 years; 23 males, 17 females) with 'active' epilepsy (had a seizure in the last year or taking Anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs)) were interviewed either in person or over the telephone using a semistructured interview schedule. The families were resident in the south of the UK. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded using thematic analysis. Thematic analysis revealed six main themes: diagnostic journey, parental perception of epilepsy management, awareness and impact of associated neurobehavioral difficulties, inconsistent availability of therapeutic and educational supports, impact on family functioning, and need for parental support. Parents reported often having difficulty accessing a professional knowledgeable about epilepsy. While parents were generally satisfied with the initial information they received about seizures and their management, they reported that the association between epilepsy and neurobehavioral issues was often not broached. These developmental/behavioral difficulties often had a bigger impact on child wellbeing and family functioning, but provision of therapeutic and educational supports for the difficulties was often very patchy. Parents noted that early onset epilepsy and associated neurobehavioral difficulties often have a very significant impact on family functioning including increased restrictions on family activities and increased financial burden. Parents would like informational and emotional support to extend beyond the time of epilepsy diagnosis. There is a clear need for comprehensive childhood epilepsy services to include provision for identification and management of child neurobehavioral needs and a focus on family-centered care.

Parenting stress and perceived stigma in mothers of young children with epilepsy: A case-control study.

The aim was to provide data on parenting stress and perceived stigma in mothers (n = 47) of young children with epilepsy, and to compare findings with those of mothers (n = 48) of developmental, age- and gender-matched children with nonepilepsy-related neurodisability (neurological and/or neurodevelopmental concerns). The mothers of young children (1-7 years) with epilepsy and mothers of children with neurodisability in a defined geographical area of the UK, completed the Parenting Stress Index-4th Edition (PSI-4) and a measure of perceived stigma. Factors associated with parenting stress and stigma were analyzed using linear regression. Thirty-eight percent of mothers of children with epilepsy scored in the at-risk range (>85th percentile) on the Total Stress score of the PSI-4 (Neurodisability 21%) (p = 0.06). Significantly more mothers of children with epilepsy scored in the at-risk range on the Parent-Child Dysfunctional Interaction subscale than mothers of children with neurodisability (Epilepsy 45% vs. Neurodisability 21%; p = 0.01), but not on the Parental Distress subscale (Epilepsy 32% vs. Neurodisability 23%; p = 0.33) or Difficult Child (Epilepsy 57% vs. Neurodisability 46%; p = 0.26) subscales. There was no statistically significant difference in perceived stigma between mothers in both groups (p = 0.51). Factors significantly associated with increased parenting stress in the group with epilepsy were child behavior difficulties (p < 0.001) and maternal sleep difficulties (p = 0.02). Lower child developmental level was the only factor independently associated with increased stigma in the group with epilepsy (p = 0.08). Mothers of young children with epilepsy report high levels of parenting stress and higher levels of difficulties with parent-child interaction compared with that of mothers of children with nonepilepsy-related neurodisability. Parenting stress and stigma in epilepsy were not associated with epilepsy factors. Efforts at reducing parenting stress and stigma should focus on interventions targeting child development and maternal sleep.

Knowledge of and attitudes towards epilepsy among teachers: A systematic review.

The objective of this study was to systematically review research that has focused on knowledge of and attitudes towards epilepsy among teachers. Embase, PubMed, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, and Cochrane library databases from 2000 to 2017 were searched. Cross-sectional and interventional studies were included and analyzed for quality. Thematic analysis was used to identify common themes in the results. Fifty-four eligible studies (17,256 total participants in 27 different countries) were identified in the search period including seven studies that focused on assessing attitudes and knowledge before and after an educational intervention. It was not possible to systematically analyze levels of knowledge and nature of attitudes because of the wide variety of mostly bespoke study specific instruments used. Few studies employed valid and reliable instruments. Thematic analysis revealed three main themes in the results: 1.) deficits in knowledge and negative attitudes were pervasive across all studies; 2.) teachers often had a negative attitude towards participation of children with epilepsy in physical activities/sport; and 3.) teachers often expressed limited knowledge of seizure management/emergency procedures. There was a lower level of knowledge and more negative attitudes among teachers towards epilepsy compared with other conditions. All studies focusing on interventions showed that at least some aspects of knowledge and attitudes improved as a result of teacher participation in an educational intervention, but study quality was universally rated as low. A higher level of education and experience of teaching a child with epilepsy was significantly associated with greater knowledge in a number of studies. Additionally, having experience of teaching a child with epilepsy and greater assessed knowledge of epilepsy were associated with more positive attitudes. The wide range of methods used makes it difficult to generalize regarding level of attitudes and knowledge among teachers towards epilepsy. Nevertheless, all studies indicate that there are some deficits in knowledge of and negative attitudes towards epilepsy among teachers. It would appear that knowledge and attitudes can be improved by educational interventions. Future research should focus on developing psychometrically sound assessment instruments that can be used globally and on identifying the most effective ways of delivering efficacious educational initiatives employing robust study designs.

Child and parental sleep in young children with epilepsy: A population-based case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of parent-reported sleep problems in young children with epilepsy and their parents, and to compare findings with those in a non-epilepsy-related neurodisability (neurodevelopmental/neurological difficulties) group. METHOD: Parents of young children (1-7 years) with epilepsy (n = 48 [91% ascertainment]) completed the Child Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ). Parents (mothers and fathers) also completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Iowa Fatigue Scale (IFS) in relation to their own functioning. The responses of parents of children with epilepsy were compared with parents of developmental-, age-, and gender-matched children with nonepilepsy-related neurodisability (n = 48). RESULTS: There was not a significant difference in the proportion of children with epilepsy and the children with neurodisability scoring in the at-risk range on the CSHQ (81% vs. 71% respectively) (p = 0.232). 62% of mothers and 44% of fathers of children with epilepsy had 'poor quality sleep' on the PSQI; there was not a significant difference between mothers of children with epilepsy and those of children with neurodisability (p = 0.526) or IFS (p = 0.245) total scores. However, mothers of children with epilepsy had significantly more difficulties on the productivity subscale of the IFS (p = 0.004). There were no significant differences between fathers' scores on either measure. In the epilepsy group, child behavioral problems (p = 0.001) were independently associated with child sleep difficulties and maternal mental health problems were associated with parental sleep difficulties (p = 0.04) and fatigue (p = 0.018). SIGNIFICANCE: Young children with epilepsy and their parents have a high rate of sleep difficulties. There is a need to develop effective interventions for this population, taking into consideration of the role of child behavioral problems and parental mental health difficulties.

Symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress in parents of young children with epilepsy: A case controlled population-based study.

The objective was to provide population-based data on depression, anxiety, and stress in parents of young children with epilepsy and to compare findings with those of parents of developmental-, age-, and gender-matched children with nonepilepsy-related neurodisability (neurological and/or neurodevelopmental concerns). The parents (mothers and fathers) of 47 (89% ascertainment) young children (1-7years) with epilepsy in a defined geographical area of the UK completed the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales - Short Form (DASS-21), a screening measure for depression, anxiety, and stress. The responses of parents of children with epilepsy were compared with parents of developmental-, age-, and gender-matched children with nonepilepsy-related neurodisability (n=48). Factors associated with parental symptoms were analyzed using regression. In the group with epilepsy, 47 mothers and 39 fathers completed the DASS-21. Seventy-two percent of mothers scored in the at-risk range on at least one DASS-21 subscale (Fathers 49%). Mothers of children with epilepsy were significantly more likely to score in the at risk range than fathers on depression (55% vs. 33%), anxiety (47% vs. 26%), and stress (55% vs. 31%) subscales (all p<0.05). Mothers of children with epilepsy were also significantly more likely to score in the at-risk range than mothers of children with neurodisability on measures of depression (p=0.005) and stress (p=0.03). There was not a significant difference between fathers in both groups on any measures. In the group with epilepsy, increased child emotional-behavioral difficulties were associated with increased DASS-21 scores on multivariable analysis (p=0.04). Mothers of young children with epilepsy are at high risk for mental health difficulties, and all should be screened for such difficulties. There is a need to explore what parent and/or child focused interventions might be useful to reduce the mental health difficulties reported by mothers of young children with epilepsy.

Establishing a library of resources to help people understand key concepts in assessing treatment claims-The "Critical thinking and Appraisal Resource Library" (CARL).

BACKGROUND: People are frequently confronted with untrustworthy claims about the effects of treatments. Uncritical acceptance of these claims can lead to poor, and sometimes dangerous, treatment decisions, and wasted time and money. Resources to help people learn to think critically about treatment claims are scarce, and they are widely scattered. Furthermore, very few learning-resources have been assessed to see if they improve knowledge and behavior. OBJECTIVES: Our objectives were to develop the Critical thinking and Appraisal Resource Library (CARL). This library was to be in the form of a database containing learning resources for those who are responsible for encouraging critical thinking about treatment claims, and was to be made available online. We wished to include resources for groups we identified as 'intermediaries' of knowledge, i.e. teachers of schoolchildren, undergraduates and graduates, for example those teaching evidence-based medicine, or those communicating treatment claims to the public. In selecting resources, we wished to draw particular attention to those resources that had been formally evaluated, for example, by the creators of the resource or independent research groups. METHODS: CARL was populated with learning-resources identified from a variety of sources-two previously developed but unmaintained inventories; systematic reviews of learning-interventions; online and database searches; and recommendations by members of the project group and its advisors. The learning-resources in CARL were organised by 'Key Concepts' needed to judge the trustworthiness of treatment claims, and were made available online by the James Lind Initiative in Testing Treatments interactive (TTi) English (www.testingtreatments.org/category/learning-resources).TTi English also incorporated the database of Key Concepts and the Claim Evaluation Tools developed through the Informed Healthcare Choices (IHC) project (informedhealthchoices.org). RESULTS: We have created a database of resources called CARL, which currently contains over 500 open-access learning-resources in a variety of formats: text, audio, video, webpages, cartoons, and lesson materials. These are aimed primarily at 'Intermediaries', that is, 'teachers', 'communicators', 'advisors', 'researchers', as well as for independent 'learners'. The resources included in CARL are currently accessible at www.testingtreatments.org/category/learning-resources. CONCLUSIONS: We hope that ready access to CARL will help to promote the critical thinking about treatment claims, needed to help improve healthcare choices.

Parent- and Teacher-Reported Symptoms of ADHD in School-Aged Children With Active Epilepsy: A Population-Based Study.

OBJECTIVE: Provide data on the distribution of parent- and teacher-reported symptoms of ADHD in childhood epilepsy and describe coexisting cognitive and behavioral disorders in children with both epilepsy and ADHD. METHOD: Eighty-five (74% of those eligible) children (5-15 years) in a population-based sample with active epilepsy underwent psychological assessment. The ADHD Rating Scale-IV (ADHD-RS-IV) scale was completed by parents ( n = 69) and teachers ( n = 67) of participating children with an IQ > 34. ADHD was diagnosed with respect to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed., text rev.). RESULTS: Parents reported significantly more symptoms of ADHD than teachers ( p < .001). Symptoms of inattention were more commonly reported than symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity ( p < .001). Neurobehavioral comorbidity was similar in those with ADHD and non-ADHD with the exception of oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and developmental coordination disorder (DCD), which were more common in those with both epilepsy and ADHD. CONCLUSION: Symptoms of ADHD are very common in childhood epilepsy but prevalence is influenced by informant.

Symptoms of anxiety and depression in school-aged children with active epilepsy: A population-based study.

METHODS: Children (5-15 years) with active epilepsy were screened using the parent-report (n=69) and self-report (n=48) versions of the Spence Children's Anxiety Scale (SCAS) and the self-report version of the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) (n=48) in a population-based sample. RESULTS: A total of 32.2% of children (self-report) and 15.2% of children (parent-report) scored ≥1 SD above the mean on the SCAS total score. The subscales where most difficulty were reported on parent-report were Physical Injury and Separation Anxiety. There was less variation on self-report. On the CDI, 20.9% of young people scored ≥1 SD above the mean. Children reported significantly more symptoms of anxiety on the SCAS total score and three of the subscales (p<.05). There was a significant effect on the SCAS total score of respondents by seizure type interaction, suggesting higher scores on SCAS for children with generalized seizures on self- but not parent-report. Higher CDI scores were significantly associated with generalized seizures (p>.05). SUMMARY: Symptoms of anxiety were more common based on self-report compared with parent-report. Children with generalized seizures reported more symptoms of depression and anxiety.

The health, education, and social care costs of school-aged children with active epilepsy: A population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: To provide data on the health, social care, and education costs of active childhood epilepsy and factors associated with these costs over an 18-month period in a population-based sample. METHODS: The Children with Epilepsy in Sussex Schools (CHESS) study is a population-based study involving school-aged children (5-15 years) with active epilepsy (taking one or more antiepileptic drug and/or had a seizure in the last year) in a defined geographical area in England. Clinical data were collected on 85 children (74% of eligible population) who underwent comprehensive psychological assessment. Health, education, and social care resource use was collected retrospectively over an 18-month period. Regression analysis was used to identify variables associated these with costs. RESULTS: The mean (standard deviation) 18-month cost of health care for a child with active epilepsy was £3,635 (£5,339), with mean education and social care cost of £11,552 (£8,937) and £1,742 (£8,158), respectively, resulting in total mean costs per participant of £16,931 (£14,764). Health care costs were significantly associated with seizure frequency and etiology (all p-values < 0.05). Combined health care, social care, and education costs were significantly related to cognitive impairment (intelligence quotient [IQ] <85) and seizure frequency (p < 0.05). The mean cost of health care, social care, and education over 18 months for participants with cognitive impairment was £23,579 (95% confidence interval [CI] £16,489-£30,670) compared to £7,785 (95% CI £4,943-£10,627) for those without impairment. SIGNIFICANCE: Active childhood epilepsy has significant health, social care, and education costs. This is the first study to comprehensively document the economic impact on these sectors as well as factors associated with these costs. When caring for children with epilepsy in England, costs incurred by education and social care sectors are approximately four times the costs incurred by the health care sector. Increased costs were associated with cognitive impairment (IQ <85) and weekly or greater seizure frequency.

Cognition in school-aged children with "active" epilepsy: A population-based study.

INTRODUCTION: There is a lack of population-based data on specific cognitive profiles in childhood epilepsy. This study sought to determine the frequency of impairments in global cognition and aspects of working memory and processing speed in a population-based sample of children with "active" epilepsy (on antiepileptic Drugs (AEDs), and/or had a seizure in the last year). Factors significantly associated with global and specific difficulties in cognition were also identified. METHOD: A total of 85 (74% of eligible population) school-aged children (5-15 years) with "active" epilepsy underwent comprehensive psychological assessment including assessment of global cognition, working memory, and processing speed. Scores on cognitive subtests were compared via paired-samples t tests. The factors associated with cognitive difficulties were analyzed via linear regression. RESULTS: A total of 24% of children were functioning below IQ 50, and 40% had IQ scores below 70. Scores on the Processing Speed Index were significantly lower than scores on the Verbal or Performance indexes on Wechsler instruments. The Coding subtest was a significant weakness compared with the other Wechsler subtests. A total of 58% of children displayed "memory underachievement" (memory score 1 SD below assessed IQ) on at least one of the four administered working memory subtests. Factors significantly associated with globally impaired cognition included being on polytherapy (ß = -13.0; 95% CI [-19.3, -6.6], p = .000) and having attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; ß = -11.1, 95% CI [-3.0, -19.3], p = .008). Being on polytherapy was also associated with lower scores on the working memory and processing speed composite scores. Having developmental coordination disorder (DCD) was associated with a lower score on the processing speed composite. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high rate of global and specific cognitive difficulties in childhood epilepsy. Difficulties are most pronounced in aspects of working memory and processing speed. Predictors of cognitive impairment in childhood epilepsy include epilepsy-related and behavioral factors, which may differ depending on the domain of cognition assessed.