High Frequency of Depressive Symptoms among Adults with Epilepsy: Results from a Hospital-based Study

Abstract

Context: Assessment of comorbid burden of depression and associated factors among adult people living with epilepsy (PWE) has the potential to inform clinical evaluation and management to improve outcomes.

Aim: The aim of this study is to determine frequency of depressive symptoms and factors associated with it among PWE attending a tertiary care hospital.

Setting and design: This was a cross-sectional observational study conducted in the outpatient clinic of a tertiary care center.

Subjects and methods: One hundred and fifty patients with epilepsy were recruited between May 2016 and August 2016. For assessing depression, Tamil validated version of Patient Health Questionnaire-12 was used. Frequency of depression and its association with various sociodemographic and clinical factors were assessed.

Statistical analysis used: Student t-test and Chi-square test for univariate analysis and logistic regression for multivariate analysis were used for statistical analysis.

Results: Of the 150 subjects, 89 (59.3%) were males. Generalized tonic-clonic seizures were present in 131 people (87.3%). Genetic and unknown epilepsies contributed higher proportion (44.7%) as compared to structural epilepsies (37.3%). Majority (88%) were on one or two antiepileptic drugs. Thirty-one people (20.3%) had less than one seizure per year. Depressive symptoms were present in 95 patients (63.3%). In multivariate regression analysis, secondary generalized seizures and seizure frequency >1/month emerged as significant predictors of depression ([OR]: 5.48 [95% (CI): 1.35-22.28] and OR: 2.53 [95% CI: 1.11-5.75], respectively).

Conclusion: Depression is prevalent in a majority of adult PWE. Hence, a routine screening for depression as part of comprehensive epilepsy care is advisable for PWE attending the outpatient clinic.

Keywords: Comorbidity; depression; epilepsy; mood disorders; psychiatric disorders; psychiatry.

Figure 1

Association of depression with frequency of seizures