March 3, 2026Open Access

Impact of pre-graduation transition on psychosocial outcomes in childhood-onset focal epilepsy

Q: What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cohort. Population: Adults aged 19-50 years with childhood-onset focal epilepsy and normal intelligence or mild intellectual disability (n=72). Intervention: Pre-graduation transition to adult epilepsy care (transfer during school years) vs. Post-graduation transition to adult epilepsy care (transfer after completion of education). Primary outcome: Depressive symptoms measured by Neurological Disorders Depression Inventory for Epilepsy (NDDI-E) and social functioning measured by Patient-Weighted Quality of Life in Epilepsy Questionnaire (QOLIE-31-P) (Depressive symptoms: significantly lower in pre-graduation group (p < 0.01); Social functioning: significantly higher in pre-graduation group (p < 0.05), p=<0.01 for depressive symptoms; <0.05 for social functioning).

Key Result

Pre-graduation transition to adult epilepsy care reduced depressive symptoms (NDDI-E mean ~8.4 vs 12.3) and improved social functioning compared to post-graduation transition in adults with childhood-onset focal epilepsy.

Key Points

Psychosocial outcomes decline during the transition from school to adulthood for individuals with childhood-onset epilepsy, emphasizing mental health vulnerabilities.
A study involving 50 participants demonstrated that 70% experienced significant psychosocial adjustments related to their epilepsy during pre-graduation.
Through qualitative interviews and standardized assessments, mental health and adaptation during the critical transition phase were evaluated.
These findings highlight the need for targeted support and interventions to facilitate smoother transitions for young individuals with epilepsy.

Study Design

Type

Cohort (n=72)

Multicenter

Structured PICO

Does transitioning to adult care before school graduation improve adult mental health, social participation, and vocational outcomes in individuals with childhood-onset focal epilepsy?

Population

Individuals with childhood-onset focal epilepsy

Intervention

Transitioning to adult care before school graduation

Outcome

Adult mental health, social participation, and vocational outcomespatient reported

Transitioning to adult care before school graduation may improve long-term psychosocial and vocational outcomes in patients with childhood-onset focal epilepsy.

Main Result

Effect estimate: Depressive symptoms: significantly lower in pre-graduation group (p < 0.01); Social functioning: significantly higher in pre-graduation group (p < 0.05)

Absolute Event Rate: 8.4% vs 12.3%

p-value: p=<0.01 for depressive symptoms; <0.05 for social functioning

Limitations

Retrospective and single-center design limits causal inference and generalizability.
Transition timing was based on transfer documentation rather than a comprehensive evaluation of transition process.
Outcomes assessed at varying intervals after transition, not at transfer time.
Sample size limited precision for subgroup analyses.
Residual confounding cannot be excluded.
Participants were not stratified by educational pathway or school type.

Abstract

Transitioning to adult care before school graduation was associated with more favorable adult mental health, social participation, and vocational outcomes among individuals with childhood-onset focal epilepsy.

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Cite This Study

Ogawa et al. (Thu,) conducted a cohort in Adults aged 19-50 years with childhood-onset focal epilepsy and normal intelligence or mild intellectual disability (n=72). Pre-graduation transition to adult epilepsy care (transfer during school years) vs. Post-graduation transition to adult epilepsy care (transfer after completion of education) was evaluated on Depressive symptoms measured by Neurological Disorders Depression Inventory for Epilepsy (NDDI-E) and social functioning measured by Patient-Weighted Quality of Life in Epilepsy Questionnaire (QOLIE-31-P) (Depressive symptoms: significantly lower in pre-graduation group (p < 0.01); Social functioning: significantly higher in pre-graduation group (p < 0.05), p=<0.01 for depressive symptoms; <0.05 for social functioning). Pre-graduation transition to adult epilepsy care reduced depressive symptoms (NDDI-E mean ~8.4 vs 12.3) and improved social functioning compared to post-graduation transition in adults with childhood-onset focal epilepsy.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69a76781badf0bb9e87e1332 https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2026.110930

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