Reevaluating the prevalence and diagnostic subtypes of depressive disorders in epilepsy

- Incidence of major depressive disorder was found to be 22% in patients with epilepsy.
- 20% of the study group fulfilled criteria for other mood disorder categories.
- Over 40% of patients with epilepsy were suffering from any form of mood disorder.
- Psychiatric diagnosis in epilepsy should be based on a structured diagnostic interview.
- Unemployment, age, and age at seizure onset are factors for depression in epilepsy.

ObjectiveDepressive disorders are common among patients with epilepsy (PWE). The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of different forms of depressive disorders among PWE treated in the outpatient setting.MethodsA group of consecutive PWE that visited the epilepsy outpatient clinic was invited to participate in the study. Ninety-six patients met inclusion criteria and were examined by a trained psychiatrist using standardized measures.ResultsA diagnosis of a current major depression was established in 21 (22.3%) out of 96 participants. Furthermore, almost 20% of the study group fulfilled criteria for mood disorder categories other than MDD, adding up to over 40% of PWE suffering from any mood disorder category. Older age and later age at seizure onset, as well as unemployment, were associated with an increase in the odds of MDD diagnosis.Study limitationsA number of limitations are to be considered: the sample size is relatively small, and the findings may not be representative of PWE in general because our population represents a sample coming from a single outpatient clinic with a higher ratio of drug-resistant epilepsy.ConclusionsMajor depression as well as other forms of depressive disorders are common among PWE. Unemployment, age, and age at seizure onset are important factors associated with major depression among PWE.