Anxiety and depression symptoms among children and adolescents with epilepsy, and the quality of life of their parents

Background and Objective: Epileptic children and adolescents have a greater risk for behavioral and psychological disorders. This study aimed to illustrate symptoms of anxiety and depression in children and adolescents with epilepsy, identify the quality of life among families of epileptic children, and assess the awareness and knowledge of caregivers about epilepsy. Methods: This is a hospital-based, cross-sectional study that included all children and adolescents (< 18 years of age) with confirmed epilepsy registered in a neurology clinic at governmental hospitals in Taif city, Saudi Arabia. Responses were collected from the caregivers after contacting them via phone numbers and getting consent. We used a Shortened Revised Child Anxiety and Depression scale -parent version and a validated short form 12 questionnaire for data collection. Results: The median total depression score was 20.0 (14.0-24.0), while the median total anxiety score was 10.0 (7.0- 14.0). There was a significant positive moderate association between depression and anxiety scores. The median depression and anxiety scores were significantly higher in adolescents than in children (p< 0.001). There was an impairment in all aspects of the quality of life of caregivers of epileptic children and adolescents to different degrees. Conclusions: Children and adolescents with epilepsy showed different grades of anxiety and depressive symptoms that were significantly more frequent among adolescents. The caregivers showed variable degrees of impaired quality of life.