Depressive symptoms in Chinese patients with epilepsy: Prevalence and clinical correlates

Depressive symptoms were a prevalent comorbidity among patients with epilepsy, significantly impacting their quality of life and treatment outcomes. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and clinical correlates of depressive symptoms in Chinese patients with epilepsy.

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, from January 2018 to June 2023. Patients diagnosed with epilepsy aged 16 years or older were included, excluding those with severe illnesses, substance abuse disorders, or severe cognitive impairments. Demographic and epilepsy-related information was collected using a standardized clinical data collection form. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 27.0.

The study included 513 patients with epilepsy, with a mean age of 37.48 years (SD= 15.09). Among these, 65.9 % were male, and 62.6 % were aged 40 years or older. The majority of patients were single (50.9 %) and had formal education (57.1 %). The mean age of epilepsy onset was 21.96 years (SD = 12.83), and the mean duration of illness was 11.02 years (SD= 13.64). Generalized tonic-clonic seizures were the most common type (62.0 %), and 32.7 % of patients experienced very frequent seizures. Polytherapy was used by 63.5 % of patients. Depressive symptoms were present in 137 patients, representing a prevalence of 26.7 % (95 % CI: 20.51-31.89). The severity of depressive symptoms was categorized as mild in 62.0 %, mild to moderate in 18.2 %, moderate in 10.2 %, and severe in 9.5 %. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was higher among females, separated/widowed individuals, those with lower educational attainment, and unemployed patients. Significant associations were found between depressive symptoms and seizure frequency, duration of seizures, and polytherapy. Multivariate analysis identified seizure frequency, duration of seizures, and polytherapy as independent predictors of depressive symptoms.

Depressive symptoms were highly prevalent among Chinese patients with epilepsy, with significant associations found between depressive symptoms and several sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Routine screening for depressive symptoms and tailored interventions are crucial for improving the quality of life and treatment outcomes in this population. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to explore causal relationships and develop targeted interventions.