Aliya Szpindel1, Kenneth A Myers2,3, Pamela Ng3, Marc Dorais4, Louise Koclas5, Nicole Pigeon6, Michael Shevell2, Maryam Oskoui2,3. 1. Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada. 2. Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology/Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada. 3. Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Quebec, Canada. 4. StatSciences, Notre-Dame-de-l'Île-Perrot, Quebec, Canada. 5. Centre de Réadaptation Marie Enfant du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine, Montréal, Quebec, Canada. 6. Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada.
Abstract
AIM: To compare the prevalence of epilepsy in children with cerebral palsy (CP) to peer controls and their differences in healthcare utilization. METHOD: The Quebec CP registry was linked to the provincial administrative health database. Two CP cohorts were identified from the registry (n=302, 168 males, 1y 2mo-14y) and administrative data (n=370, 221 males, 2y 2mo-14y). A control cohort (n=6040, 3340 males, 10-14y) was matched by age, sex, and region to the CP registry cohort. Administrative data algorithms were used to define epilepsy cases. Data on hospitalizations and emergency department presentations were obtained. RESULTS: Using the most sensitive epilepsy definition, prevalence was 42.05% in the CP registry, 43.24% in the CP administrative data, and 1.39% in controls. Prevalence rose with increasing Gross Motor Function Classification System level. Children with CP and epilepsy had increased number and length of hospitalizations and emergency department presentations compared to children with CP or epilepsy alone. Epilepsy accounted for approximately 5% of emergency department presentations and 10% of hospitalizations in children with epilepsy, with and without CP. INTERPRETATION: Children with CP have an increased risk of epilepsy compared to their peers. Children with CP and coexisting epilepsy represent a unique subset with complex developmental disability and increased healthcare service utilization.
AIM: To compare the prevalence of epilepsy in children with cerebral palsy (CP) to peer controls and their differences in healthcare utilization. METHOD: The Quebec CP registry was linked to the provincial administrative health database. Two CP cohorts were identified from the registry (n=302, 168 males, 1y 2mo-14y) and administrative data (n=370, 221 males, 2y 2mo-14y). A control cohort (n=6040, 3340 males, 10-14y) was matched by age, sex, and region to the CP registry cohort. Administrative data algorithms were used to define epilepsy cases. Data on hospitalizations and emergency department presentations were obtained. RESULTS: Using the most sensitive epilepsy definition, prevalence was 42.05% in the CP registry, 43.24% in the CP administrative data, and 1.39% in controls. Prevalence rose with increasing Gross Motor Function Classification System level. Children with CP and epilepsy had increased number and length of hospitalizations and emergency department presentations compared to children with CP or epilepsy alone. Epilepsy accounted for approximately 5% of emergency department presentations and 10% of hospitalizations in children with epilepsy, with and without CP. INTERPRETATION: Children with CP have an increased risk of epilepsy compared to their peers. Children with CP and coexisting epilepsy represent a unique subset with complex developmental disability and increased healthcare service utilization.
Authors: Steffen Berweck; Marta Banach; Deborah Gaebler-Spira; Henry G Chambers; A S Schroeder; Thorin L Geister; Michael Althaus; Angelika Hanschmann; Matteo Vacchelli; Michaela V Bonfert; Florian Heinen; Edward Dabrowski Journal: Toxins (Basel) Date: 2022-08-25 Impact factor: 5.075