ABSTRACT

In patients with epilepsy, the level of harmony and balance between life expectancy and physical, psychological, and social limitations determines the level of quality of life. Our aim in this study was to determine the quality of life and psychiatric diagnoses in patients with epilepsy and to investigate the effects they have on anxiety and depression.

This study comprised 161 patients with epilepsy, whose anamnesis, neuroimaging, electroencephalography (EEG), neuropsychometric tests and psychiatric consultations took place at the epilepsy clinic. A 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) life scale, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) were applied to the patients.

Of the seizures, 30% (49/161) were found to be generalized onset tonic-clonic-myoclonic seizures, 29% (48/161) were focal onset motor seizures, 23% (35/161) were focal onset bilateral tonic-clonic seizures, and 18% (29/161) were focal onset non-motor seizures. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), 41 patients had depressive adjustment disorder, 38 patients had major depressive disorder, 12 patients had conversive disorder, 12 patients had dysthymic disorders, five patients had mild mental retardation, four patients had psychological mental disorders, which could not be otherwise specified, and three patients had obsessive-compulsive disorder.

The most common psychiatric disorders in epilepsy are known to be affective diseases, particularly depression (9–22%). In our study, depression was the most common comorbid condition in patients, and it was noteworthy that a significant loss was apparent regarding the patients’ quality of life as results of the quality of life scale showed. To identify the accompanying social and psychiatric disorders of patients and to consult with psychiatry when necessary during follow-up are as important as seizure control for increasing the quality of life of patients.

Keywords: Anxiety, depression, epilepsy, quality of life