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Open Access 01-03-2022 | Generalized Seizure | Original Article

Depressive symptoms in patients with epilepsy and clinically associated features in a single tertiary center

Authors: Mariacarolina Vacca, Mariana Fernandes, Matteo Spanetta, Fabio Placidi, Francesca Izzi, Caterina Lombardo, Nicola Biagio Mercuri, Claudio Liguori

Published in: Neurological Sciences | Issue 3/2022

Abstract

Although depressive symptoms are the most common psychiatric comorbidity in epilepsy, they remain underestimated and untreated in a large proportion of patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate depression severity and related clinical features in people with epilepsy using a well-reliable self-report index of mood, the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). One-hundred seventeen adult patients with epilepsy were recruited from a tertiary epilepsy center and completed the BDI-II. A single-item analysis of the 21 questions of the BDI-II was computed and differences between women and men in each depressive symptom were evaluated. Correlation and regression analyses were used to identify clinical features associated with the severity of depression. Results showed gender differences in some items, with women reporting overall higher depression severity than men. The most common symptoms regarded domains of sleeping patterns, tiredness, and loss of energy. Regression evidence suggested that being female, having an epilepsy duration < 10 years, as well as being treated with psychotropic drugs and reporting generalized seizure, were associated with higher depression severity. Despite its cross-sectional nature, this study reinforces the importance of investigating and possibly treating depressive symptoms in adult patients with epilepsy, since they negatively impact well-being, daytime activities, and sleep. Further studies identifying pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for depression in epilepsy need to be planned.

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Title: Depressive symptoms in patients with epilepsy and clinically associated features in a single tertiary center
Authors: Mariacarolina Vacca
Mariana Fernandes
Matteo Spanetta
Fabio Placidi
Francesca Izzi
Caterina Lombardo
Nicola Biagio Mercuri
Claudio Liguori
Publication date: 01-03-2022
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Keywords: Generalized Seizure
Affective Disorder
Affective Disorder
Epilepsy
Published in: Neurological Sciences / Issue 3/2022
Print ISSN: 1590-1874
Electronic ISSN: 1590-3478
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-021-05589-1

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Depressive symptoms in patients with epilepsy and clinically associated features in a single tertiary center

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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