Autistic characteristics in adults with epilepsy and perceived seizure activity.

UNLABELLED: The prevalence of autism spectrum disorders in epilepsy is approximately 15%-47%, with previous research by Wakeford and colleagues reporting higher autistic traits in adults with epilepsy. The aim of this study was to investigate autistic characteristics and their relationship to having seizures by employing two behavioral assessments in two samples: adults with epilepsy and controls. METHOD: The study employed the Social Responsiveness Scale - Shortened (SRS-S) (patients with epilepsy (n=76), control (n=19)) and the brief Repetitive Behavior Scale - Revised (RBS-R) (patients with epilepsy (n=47), control (n=21)). This study employed a unique method to quantify the extent to which autistic characteristics are related to perceived mild seizure activity. Adults with epilepsy were instructed to rate their usual behavior on each assessment and, at the same time, rate their behavior again when they perceived that they were having mild seizure activity. RESULTS: Significantly higher SRS-S scores were related to having a diagnosis of epilepsy and were perceived by adults with epilepsy to increase during mild seizure activity. These scores positively correlated with antiepileptic drug control. No difference was found for RBS-R scores in adults with epilepsy compared with controls. CONCLUSION: Together, these results suggest that adults with epilepsy have higher autistic characteristics measured by the social responsiveness scale, while sameness behaviors remain unimpaired. The autistic characteristics measured by the social responsiveness scale were reported by adults with epilepsy to be more severe during their mild seizure activity.The authors would like to thank Epilepsy Action for the non-financial support of this research.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Elsevier via http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2015.08.03

Overnight respiratory support for prevention of morbidity in Sickle Cell Disease (POMS 2a) - parent and child preferences

PURPOSE: Obstructive sleep apnea and nocturnal hypoxemia are common in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) and some degree of improvement has been reported following adenotonsillectomy(Finch et al., 2013). NOT and continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP) have shown some benefits in children and adolescent patients(Hargrave, 2003). While NOT and CPAP are offered to children with or without co-morbidities, there are concerns about acceptability and safety(Makani et al., 2009). The data on patient preference is limited in childhood and more so for those with SCD. To achieve optimal adherence to therapy in SCD, Auto-Adjusting Positive Airways Pressure (APAP), where airway pressure is delivered only when obstruction occurs, may be a more acceptable option than CPAP(Marshall et al., 2009). Therefore prior to designing Phase II and III trials that are adequately powered, this study sought to: i) identify parent/caregiver and child treatment preference; ii) assess whether parent/caregiver or child should manage the electronic pain diary; iii) assess any treatment effect on Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) in children; and iv) explore the relationship of treatment adherence to: a) experience of pain, and b) overall clinical benefit from the intervention