Quality of life of children with pharmacoresistant epilepsy on ketogenic diet

Introduction: Quality of life is impaired in children with epilepsy and their families. There are no published studies about the influence of ketogenic diet (KD) on the quality of life of children with pharmacoresistant epilepsy and their families.

KD is a restrictive diet and negative effects are possible as well as positive influence by seizure control.

We investigated the effect of the KD on the quality of life in children treated with KD and their families.

Methods: A questionnaire for parents evaluating the influence of KD on the quality of life of 22 children with pharmacoresistant epilepsies was developped based on published quality of life questionnaires.

Results: Within the whole group the score increased from median (range) 0,78 (–10,00 to 3,38) before KD to 1,32 (-2,78 to 10,00) points on KD, within the responders (n=14) from median (range) 0,83 (-10,00 to 3,38) to 2,83 (0,50 to 10,00). In contrast, the score within the non-responders (n=8) fell from median (range) 0,63 (–2,78 to 1,89) before KD to –1,28 (-2,78 to 1,11) on KD. The most positive effects in the responder group were caused by the following aspects: seizures, pain, relaxation and medication.

Conclusion: On KD, quality of life depends on seizure control. Within the non-responders, the restrictions by the KD result in negative assessment of the quality of life by the families.

Keywords: ketogenic diet, quality of life, pharmacoresistant epilepsy