Psychiatric Co-morbidities in Women with Epilepsy

Abstract

Background: The co-existence of psychiatric co-morbidities with Epilepsy in women is multifactorial and complex, being closely related to hormonal status, medication side effects, and psychosocial factors.

Aims: We aimed to study associated Psychiatric co-morbidities in women with Epilepsy (WWE), and correlate the same with seizure subtype and medication , compliance with treatment and seizure control.

Material and methods: This was a prospective, interview based study in OPD over 18 months, evaluating WWE over 13 years of age with at least 1 seizure in the last 1 year. The primary outcome evaluated was the psychiatric diagnosis. Covariables assessed included sociodemographic data, details of seizures and treatment taken. Study population included 143 WWE. Thirty women with a chronic disease, viz., Diabetes and with no h/o seizures, and another group of 25 healthy women from the community with no seizures ever and no Diabetes, were evaluated as 2 sets of controls.

Results and conclusions: One hundred and forty three women with Epilepsy (WWE) were recruited into the study. Psychiatric co-morbidity prevalence was 28.6 % (41/143) in WWE, 13.7 % in women with Diabetes and 8.3 % in women with no Epilepsy or Diabetes (normal controls). Overall, Depression was the commonest psychiatric co-morbidity. Psychiatric co-morbidity was significantly more in WWE as compared to normal controls. Seizure duration over 2 years, complex partial seizures and Polypharmacy were significantly linked to Psychiatric co-morbidities.