Parent-reported symptoms of ADHD in young people with epilepsy before and two years after epilepsy surgery.

ABSTRACT

The aim was to compare parent-reported symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) before (baseline) and two years after pediatric epilepsy surgery (follow-up). The parents of 107 children who underwent epilepsy surgery completed surveys including the Conners 10-item scale at baseline and follow-up. Changes in scores between baseline and follow-up were compared using paired sample t-test. Factors associated with changes in scores were analyzed using linear regression. Features of ADHD were significantly reduced at follow-up (p < 0.001). Items with the greatest reduction were items focusing on core aspects of the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. Fewer children were in the at-risk range for ADHD on the Conners 10-item scale at follow-up but this did not reach statistical significance (49% vs. 43%; p = 0.481). Factors independently significantly associated with improvement in ADHD symptoms on multivariable analysis were higher baseline scores (p < 0.001), seizure-free status (p = 0.029), and right-sided surgery (p = 0.031). Children who undergo epilepsy surgery have a high rate of ADHD symptoms. Parent-rated symptoms of ADHD improved at 2-year follow-up after epilepsy surgery. All children undergoing epilepsy surgery should undergo assessment for ADHD at baseline and follow-up.