ABSTRACT
AIM: To compare the levels of anxiety and depression in patients with milder epilepsy characterized by complex partial seizures versus more severe epilepsy comprised of generalized tonic-clonic seizures. METHODS: A total of 60 patients aged between 18 and 80 admitted with seizures were prospectively enrolled. Patients with history of any psychiatric disorders were excluded. Imaging studies were performed to rule out any organic brain lesions that might be responsible for seizures. Patients were divided into two groups according to the type of the seizures: group 1 (n=30) with complex partial seizures without focal and generalized tonic-clonic seizures, and group 2 (n=30) with generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Structured Clinical Interviews for DSM-IV Axis I disorders (SCID-I/ NP) were performed in all patients. Additionally, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) were administered to the patients where appropriate. All the parameters were statistically compared. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 29.66±10.33 years, 38 (63.3%) were females. Both groups were comparable in terms of age, educational status, marital status, occupational status, age of epilepsy onset, and Hamilton scores. Mean HAM-D score (2.11) and mean HAM-A total score (2.31) of the patients employed during the last 6 months were different than the mean HAM-D score (4.76) and mean HAM-A total score (5.66) of the patients unemployed during last 6 months. Patients with no reliable employment within the past 6 months demonstrated significantly higher depression and anxiety scores (p less than 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study clearly demonstrated a relationship among the features of epileptics and levels of depression and anxiety. There was a relationship between employment and depressive and anxiety symptoms of epileptic patients. Also, unemployment may be indicative for treatment compliance.
