Abstracts

To determine the impact of depression on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) for people with epilepsy.
A postal survey sent to 1903 people previously identified as having epilepsy provided 501 responses adequate for these analyses. The survey included the Quality of Life in Epilepsy questionnaire (QOLIE-89), Center for Epidemiologic Studies ? Depression scale, and Seizure Severity Questionnaire to assess potential effects on HRQOL.
Symptoms of major depression were found 120 people (24%), and mild-moderate depression was found in 57 people (11%). QOLIE-89 scores were significantly reduced by comorbid depression (all p[lt]0.0001) for all types of seizures. People with predominantly major, partial, and minor seizures had significantly poorer HRQOL if they had mild-moderate or major depression (all p[lt]0.0001). People who had experience any type of seizure within the previous 3 months had significantly poorer HRQOL in all domains than people who were seizure-free for 3 months. Differences between groups by depression category were clinically significant ([gt]12 points). Depression (r= -0.72), seizure bothersomeness (r= -0.54), seizure severity (r= -0.37), and days disabled with seizures (r= -0.65) were significantly correlated with poorer HRQOL in all domains than found for non-depressed patients (all subscales p[lt]0.0001).
Clinical depression is significantly associated with poorer HRQOL among people with all types of seizures. Categorization of people by presence of depression was important in understanding HRQOL among all seizure types. Diagnosis and treatment of depression could be an important contribution to wellness of people with epilepsy whether or not seizures are controlled.
[Supported by: Epilepsy Impact Project supported by Glaxo SmithKline]