A study on interictal depressive symptoms and laterality in temporal lobe and generalized epilepsies

Abstract

Background: Mood disorders like inter-ictal depressive symptoms and inter-ictal major depressive episodes are the most frequent psychiatric co-morbidity seen in temporal lobe epilepsies with left hippocampal sclerosis than generalized epilepsies. Despite the clinical significance of depression, it often goes unrecognized and hence untreated in this population. These patients may tend to minimize their complaints to avoid further stigmatization of their illness. This study was undertaken to the prevalence and severity of depressive symptoms in patients with complex partial and generalized seizures, association of depression with the duration of illness and correlation of depression with right or left sided focus in complex partial seizures. Methods: 30 patients each of complex partial and generalized seizure disorder were enrolled to study depressive symptoms with the help of the Beck's Depression inventory a 21 item measure of depressive symptoms. A proforma was prepared to study the various demographic variables, details of seizure disorder &MRI findings. Results: As per the Beck's Depression inventory 26% of complex partial seizure patients and 40% of generalized seizure disorder patients had depressive symptoms which was not statistically significant. 20% and 63% of complex partial seizure patients and 30% and 40% of generalized seizure patients had moderate and mild severity of depression respectively. No significant association between left sided temporal lobe scleroses for depressive symptoms was seen. No correlation was seen of duration of illness with depressive symptoms in both the groups. Conclusions: A high prevalence of depressive symptoms in the generalized seizure group as compared to complex partial seizure group patients emphasizes the fact that the psychiatric morbidity is multi-factorial involving neurobiological as well as psychosocial issues which need to be addressed.