Affiliation:
1. Laboratory of Research on Neurologic, Neurosensorial Diseases and Disability, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy Hassan II University Casablanca Morocco
2. Laboratory of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy Hassan II University Casablanca Morocco
3. Direction de la Pharmacie et du Médicament (DPM) Bamako Mali
4. Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Team “Epidemiology and Histology of Chronic and Cancerous Diseases”, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy Hassan II University Casablanca Morocco
5. Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health Research Laboratory University Hassan II Casablanca Morocco
6. University Psychiatric Centre, University Hospital Ibn Rochd Casablanca Morocco
7. Department of Neurology IBN ROCHD University Hospital Casablanca Morocco
8. Department of Neurosurgery IBN ROCHD University Hospital Casablanca Morocco
Abstract
AbstractObjectiveTo determine the estimated prevalence of anxiety, depression, and anxiety–depression syndrome (ADS) and to identify the associated factors in Moroccan people with epilepsy (PWE).MethodA cross‐sectional study was conducted among adult PWE (June 2021–December 2022) in the Casablanca–Settat region. PWE were interviewed by completing a questionnaire collecting sociodemographic and clinical data. Anxiety and depression were assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Out of 21 points, a score ≥8 is in favor of considerable anxiety/depression symptoms and a sum of the two scores ≥15 indicates the presence of ADS. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 21.0. p‐values ≤0.05 were considered statistically significant and logistic regression was performed to determine the associated factors.ResultsAmong 294 PWE, the median age was 39 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 25.75–54.00). The median anxiety, depression, and ADS scores were 8 (IQR: 5.00–10.00), 7 (IQR: 4.00–10.00), and 15 (IQR: 10.00–20.00), respectively. Anxiety, depression, and ADS were revealed in 51.4%, 44.9%, and 51.0% of PWE, respectively. Depression was the only predictor for anxiety (aOR = 24.20; 95%CI: 12.45–47.01). Antiseizure polytherapy (aOR = 3.35; 95%CI: 1.72–6.54) and anxiety (aOR = 24.04; 95%CI: 12.12–47.67) were the factors associated with depression. The risk of ADS was increased by female gender (aOR = 2.83; 95%CI: 1.68–4.78), antiseizure polytherapy (aOR = 2.75; 95%CI: 1.62–4.65), structural epilepsy (aOR = 1.73; 95%CI: 1.01–2.94), and the presence of concomitant conditions with epilepsy (aOR = 1.96; 95%CI: 1.16–3.31).SignificanceOur study reports high psychiatric comorbidity prevalence in epilepsy, which supports the bidirectional link hypothesis. Associated factors found are important in the prognosis and prevention.Plain Language SummaryThe neural mechanisms underlying epilepsy tend to expose PWE to psychiatric disorders. Our study aims to quantify the rate of psychiatric comorbidities and their predictive factors in Moroccan PWE. The estimated prevalences of significant symptoms of anxiety, depression, and ADS were 51.4%, 44.9%, and 51.0%, respectively. Depression was the predictor of anxiety. Antiseizure polymedication and anxiety were the associated factors with depression. The risk of SAD was increased by female gender, antiseizure polymedication, structural epilepsy, and concomitant diseases with epilepsy. Our results are important for considering the psychiatric aspect of PWE and improving their care and quality of life.