The relationship between sleep quality, depression, and anxiety in patients with epilepsy and suicidal ideation

Abstract

The relationships among suicidal ideation, sleep, depression, anxiety, and effects on epilepsy require more research.

Objective: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of suicidal ideation in outpatients with epilepsy, and relate this to sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, depression, and anxiety.

Method: Ninety-eight non-selected patients were evaluated. The subjects were classified as "suicidal ideators" or "non-ideators", based on their response to item 9 of the Beck Depression Inventory.

Results: The prevalence of suicidal ideation was 13.3% (χ2=50.46, p<0.001). The differences between cases with or without suicidal ideation were statistically significant in relation to sleep quality (p=0.005) and symptoms of depression (p=0.001) and anxiety (p=0.002).

Conclusion: Our results revealed that depression and anxiety were associated with sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and suicidal ideation and that depression and sleep disturbance were good predictors of suicide in subjects with epilepsy.