Quality of Life and Psychological Comorbidities in Adolescents with Epilepsy in Nigeria: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study
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Abstract
Background: Adolescents with epilepsy (AWE) often experience psychosocial challenges that impair their health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This study assessed HRQOL and psychological morbidity among Nigerian AWE and explored their association.
Objectives: To determine HRQOL and psychological comorbidities in adolescents with epilepsy, compare findings with matched healthy controls, and identify predictors of poor HRQOL.
Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 240 adolescents (120 with epilepsy and 120 matched healthy controls) in two tertiary hospitals in Abeokuta, Nigeria. HRQOL was measured using the PedsQL™ 4.0 and psychological morbidity with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Data were analyzed with SPSS v23.0. Group differences were tested with t-tests/Chi-square, correlations with Spearman’s rank, and predictors of HRQOL with linear regression.
Results: Adolescents with epilepsy scored significantly lower than controls in overall HRQOL (65.00 ± 23.24 vs. 82.08 ± 16.26; p < 0.001) and across all domains (physical, psychosocial, emotional, social, school; p ≤ 0.01). Psychological morbidity was significantly higher in adolescents with epilepsy (median SDQ total score: 12.50 vs. 8.00; p < 0.001), especially in emotional and peer domains. Internalising symptoms exceeded externalising symptoms. Total psychological difficulty score was inversely correlated with HRQOL (ρ = –0.27; p < 0.001). Regression analysis identified seizure frequency, duration of epilepsy, and psychological difficulty as independent predictors of poor HRQOL.
Conclusion: Adolescents with epilepsy in Nigeria experience significantly poorer quality of life and increased psychological comorbidities compared to their healthy peers.
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