Depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation/behaviour among persons with epilepsy: Common but underestimated comorbidities in Haryana, North India

ABSTRACT

@#Background & Objectives: Depression, anxiety and suicide are the main psychiatric comorbidities which are more prevalent among persons with epilepsy (PWE). This study aims to determine the prevalence of depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation/behaviour in PWE and to correlate their clinical profile with psychiatric comorbidities in a population in North India. Methods: This study was conducted at Pt. BD Sharma PGIMS, Rohtak Haryana among PWE attending outpatient clinic at the Department of Neurology. A total of 100 eligible PWE were included in this study. The demographic and clinical history was documented. All patients filled up the Hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) and Columbia-suicide severity rating scale (C-SSRS) questionnaire. Results: The prevalence of depression and anxiety among PWE was found to be 60% and 70% respectively and the prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicidal behaviour was 42% and 3% respectively among PWE. Female gender, longer duration of epilepsy, higher seizure frequency, temporal lobe epilepsy, polytherapy, uncontrolled epilepsy and drug resistant epilepsy were found to be positively correlated with these psychiatric comorbidities. Conclusion: This study shows that the prevalence of depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation/ behaviour is high among PWE in Haryana, North India. PWE should be screened for these psychiatric comorbidities to improve their quality of life