The UWIMONA Pediatric Epileptic Seizure Screening Questionnaire was equivalent to clinical assessment in identifying children with epilepsy

Abstract

Objectives To assess the validity and reliability of a screening questionnaire administered to parents/caregivers to detect behaviors suggestive of epileptic seizures in children. Study Design and Setting We developed a 10-item questionnaire, which was administered to 120 parents/caregivers of children attending hospital-based clinics/pediatric neurologists' offices. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to assess the discriminant ability of the questionnaire and determine cutoff points. Questionnaire sensitivity and specificity were compared with clinical assessment by a pediatrician and pediatric neurologist. The questionnaire was readministered to 25 parents/caregivers after 1 month to assess reliability. Results The 120 children had the following characteristics: 58% with epilepsy, 55% male, mean (standard deviation) age 8.1 (3.2) years. A positive response to ≥1 item had the highest sensitivity (89%) and specificity (91%), with a ROC area under curve of 0.91 (95% confidence interval: 0.86, 0.97). The validity of the questionnaire was similar to the clinical evaluation by the pediatric neurologist and pediatrician. The Spearman correlation coefficient for the total score from repeat administration of the questionnaire was 0.95 (P < 0.01). Conclusion The UWIMONA Pediatric Epileptic Seizure Screening Questionnaire is a valid and reliable screening instrument and performed similarly when compared with evaluation by an experienced clinician.

Publication Title

Journal of Clinical Epidemiology

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