MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER IN EPILEPTIC PATIENTS

ABSTRACT
Background: Depressive disorders can co occur in epileptic patients. This worsens out come and furthers lower their
quality of life. The purpose of this study is to determine the rate of major depressive disorder in epileptic patients in
our clinical setting.
Materials and Methods: It is a descriptive cross sectional study conducted at Iftikhar Psychiatric Hospital, Peshawar,
from January 2012 to November 2012. A total of 152 epileptic patients presenting to outpatient department were assessed
using Hamilton depression rating scale. Demographic data and illness related data was recorded on a semi
structured proforma. Data was analyzed using SPSS 16.
RESULTS: Mean age of subjects was 29.8 years with standard deviation of 1.44. In this, majority patients were female.
Major depressive disorder was present in 88 % of cases. Depression was associated with increased frequency, prolonged
duration of illness, type of antiepileptic medication used to treat epilepsy. Carbamezapine was the most commonly
used antiepileptic. Age and gender had no significant relationship with depression in epilepsy.
Conclusion: Majority of epilepsy patients suffered from psychiatric co morbidities. Most of them remain undiagnosed
and untreated, worsening out come.
Key words: Epilepsy, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Major depressive disorder