Open J Psychiatry Allied Sci. 2024 Jan 4. Epub ahead of print.

Depression in epilepsy: a cross-sectional hospital-based study.

Das M, Hmar B, Bora M, Baruah J.

Abstract

Background: Depression is one of the frequently diagnosed psychiatric comorbidities in epilepsy.  Antiepileptic drugs and chronic nature of the illness are associated with depressive symptoms in epilepsy. Aim: The aim of the study is to evaluate the prevalence of depression and severity of depressive symptoms in patients with epilepsy attending a tertiary care teaching institute and to compare the clinical profile of depressed and non-depressed patients with epilepsy. Method: This was a cross-sectional study. Sixty-three follow-up adult patients of epilepsy were enrolled in the study after fulfilling the selection criteria. Depression was diagnosed as per the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) criteria. Quantification of depression was done with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). A p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant in the study. Result: 23.9% (n=15) of patients with epilepsy had depression. Mild depression was found in 53.3% patients where moderate depression was in 33.3% patients and 13.3% cases were found to be severely depressed. On comparisons between depressed and non-depressed epilepsy patients, none of the clinical characteristics were found to be statistically significant, but regarding polytherapy and duration of epilepsy the result was in accordance with the previous studies. Conclusion: Total 23.9% patients were found to have depression. Although severe depression was found in 13.3% cases, none of the patients had suicidal intent. Evaluation of depression should be included in a routine assessment of these populations. The association of clinical characteristics in depression needs further evaluation and follow-up.

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