Understanding the Transfer of Teens with Epilepsy to Adult Care

Source: Epilepsy & behavior : E&B

Summary

This study looked at how Finnish adolescents with epilepsy transition to adult healthcare. Researchers followed a group of 439 young people with epilepsy for over ten years to understand their experiences as they reached the age when they needed to switch from pediatric to adult care. They specifically examined how many were successfully transferred to adult services and how well their seizures were controlled after the transfer.

The results showed that most adolescents, about 85%, successfully moved to adult care, with many receiving treatment at university hospitals. However, only a small portion, 23%, achieved complete seizure control during the follow-up period, while 27% continued to struggle with their seizures despite treatment. The study also found that certain factors, like having developmental disorders or other health issues, made it more likely for these young people to need specialized adult care.

Understanding how this transfer process works is important because it affects many adolescents with epilepsy and the healthcare system. The findings highlight the need for healthcare providers to identify young people at higher risk for complications early on, so they can plan better resources and care tailored to their needs. However, the study is limited to one country and may not apply to all regions or healthcare systems.

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