A Prospective Observational Study on Depression in Epileptic Patients

Objective: To assess the incidence of depression in patients with epilepsy and also to assess their health related
quality of life (HRQOL). Method: A prospective observational study was conducted in a multi-specialty
hospital, from October 1st 2016- march 1st 2017. Adults diagnosed with epilepsy who were on AED’s for at least
3 months were included in the study with informed consent. Rate of depression was determined using the
Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D). Quality Of Life in epilepsy patient was evaluated using patient
weighted quality of life-10 (QOLIE-10 P) questionnaire. Results: A total of 59 patients were included in the
study where 54% were male (n=32) and 46% were female (n=27). Mean age of the patients was obtained as 42.6
± 3.25 (Mean±SD). Moderate depression was found to be prevailing more among the study population (n=20,
33.89%) and it was found mostly in males (n=12, 20.33%) than compared to females. There is no significant
difference (P<0.05) based on analysis of seizure type in patients with or without depression. QOLIE-10 P scores
were low with a mean of 23.41± 12.47. Most of the epileptic patients presented with a low QOL score (n=26,
44%) which implies lower quality of life. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that depression has a significant
impact on the quality of life in epileptic patients. Therefore, proper management for depression should be
provided in order to improve the health related quality of life (HRQOL) in epileptic patients.