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Review
. 2017 Apr;7(2):118-127.
doi: 10.1212/CPJ.0000000000000349.

Depression in epilepsy, migraine, and multiple sclerosis: Epidemiology and how to screen for it

Nathalie Jetté  1 , Farnaz Amoozegar  1 , Scott B Patten  1
Affiliations
Review

Depression in epilepsy, migraine, and multiple sclerosis: Epidemiology and how to screen for it

Nathalie Jetté et al. Neurol Clin Pract. 2017 Apr.

Abstract

Purpose of review: To provide an overview of the epidemiology of depression in chronic neurologic conditions that can affect individuals throughout the lifespan (epilepsy, migraine, multiple sclerosis [MS]) and examine depression screening tools for adults with these conditions.

Recent findings: Depression is common in neurologic conditions and can be associated with lower quality of life, higher health resource utilization, and poor adherence to treatment. It affects around 20%-30% of those with epilepsy, migraine, and MS, and evidence for a bidirectional association exists for each of these conditions. Depression screening tools generally perform well in neurologic conditions, but are not without limitations.

Summary: Depression is a major contributor to poor outcomes in epilepsy, migraine, and MS. Although psychiatric resources are scarce globally, this is no reason to ignore depression in neurologic conditions. Depression screening tools are available in neurology and should be considered in clinical practice.

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Comment in

  • Neurology and mental health.
    Pringsheim T. Pringsheim T. Neurol Clin Pract. 2017 Apr;7(2):96-97. doi: 10.1212/CPJ.0000000000000345. Neurol Clin Pract. 2017. PMID: 29185550 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

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