SCHOOLING OF EPILEPTIC CHILDREN. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE NEED FOR SCHOOL SUPPORT.

Introduction : Patients with epilepsy often have academic difficulties, even with normal intellectual performance. Objectives : To determine the prevalence of school support (SS) in epileptic patients and to analyze associated factors. Material and methods : Descriptive analytical cross-sectional study. Patients were divided into two groups: Idiopathic Epilepsy (IE) and Non Idiopathic Epilepsy (NIE). SS was defined by the need for grade retention, mainstream schooling with coaching assistance, or special education. Results : We included 175 patients; the median age was 4 years (IQR 2-8). 51% of the population belonged to the IE group. The overall prevalence of SS was 34%. However, the need of SS in NIE was 52% vs. 13.4% in IE (p<0.01). Other variables associated with SS in the univariate analysis were: refractory epilepsy OR 4.09 (95% CI 1.82 to 9.26), polytherapy OR 3.68 (95% CI 1.80 to 7.57) and intellectual disability OR 8.90 (95% CI 3.68 to 20.99); p < 0.01. In the multivariate analysis, the variables that were independently associated were: NIE OR 5.73 (95% CI 2.52-13.01); p< 0.01, and intellectual disability OR 4.55 (IC95% CI 2.02-10.20); p <0.01. ROC analysis of this model showed an area under the curve of 0.79. Conclusions : Epileptic patients have a high prevalence of school support. The variables that were independently associated were the presence of non- idiopathic epilepsy and intellectual disability. This group of patients should be closely monitored for possible struggles in school.