Reevaluating the prevalence and diagnostic subtypes of depressive disorders in epilepsy

Depressive 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.

A 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.

A 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.

A 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.

Major 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.