Pattern of anti-seizure medications and predictors of depression in people with epilepsy

This cross-sectional study recruited 940 PWE attending outpatient clinics of selected tertiary hospitals in southwestern Nigeria, with diagnosis confirmed clinically and supported by electroencephalography (EEG), aged ≥15 years, with no history of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures. Zung Self-Rating Depression Score (ZSRDS) was used to assess depression, and Liverpool Adverse Event Profile (LAEP) was used to assess the adverse effects of ASM.

The prevalence of depression was 44.5%. In multivariable logistic regression, independent predictors of depression included younger age (OR 0.94, p < 0.001), higher age of seizure onset (OR 1.09, p < 0.05), seizure duration < 2 years (OR 1.76, p = 0.032), lower mean LAEP score (OR 0.90, p < 0.001), not being on an ASM (OR 2.12, p = 0.001), and ASM duration < 2 years (OR 4.15, p < 0.001).

While depression is prevalent among PWE, adverse events, non-use of ASM, and duration of ASM use were among the predictors of depression. Health care providers should work towards preventing adverse events and achieving early seizure control with appropriate pharmacotherapeutic intervention.