Publication:

A cross-sectional study of quality of life among pediatric patients with epilepsy attending a tertiary care selected hospital at Vijayapur city

Background Epilepsy is a common chronic neurological disorder in children associated with significant psychosocial morbidity. This study aimed to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among pediatric patients with epilepsy in a tertiary care setting and evaluate the correlation between child-reported outcomes and parental perceptions.

Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care center in South India, involving 106 pediatric patients (aged 6-18 years) with a confirmed diagnosis of epilepsy. HRQoL was assessed using the pediatric quality of life inventory (PedsQL) 4.0 generic core scales. Parental perceptions were evaluated through semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient (p<0.05 considered significant).

Results Overall, 66.0% (n=70) of participants reported poor HRQoL, 34.0% (n=36) reported moderate HRQoL, and none achieved a “good” rating. The lowest mean scores were observed in social functioning (6.13±2.31) and school functioning (6.24±2.34), while physical functioning scores were relatively higher (10.0±3.13). A strong positive correlation was found between child-reported HRQoL and parental perception (r=0.98, p<0.001). No statistically significant association was found between HRQoL and clinical variables such as seizure frequency or epilepsy type.

Conclusions Pediatric epilepsy significantly impairs HRQoL, particularly in social and academic domains. The strong correlation between child and parent reports suggests that caregivers are highly attuned to the child’s struggles. Management should extend beyond seizure control to include psychosocial support and school-based interventions.