Psychiatric implications of anti-seizure medications in epileptic population

BMC Neurol. 2024 May 21;24(1):166. doi: 10.1186/s12883-024-03670-8.

Abstract

Background and objective: Epilepsy is a prevalent neurological disorder that affects a significant number of individuals globally. This condition is associated with a high occurrence of psychiatric comorbidities, which can significantly affect the quality of life of individuals affected. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between antiseizure therapies and the likelihood of psychiatric comorbidities in individuals with epilepsy.

Methodology: Data for this study was gathered from the Neurology referral center in Islamabad, Pakistan. A standardized questionnaire was utilized to gather data from 120 individuals diagnosed with epilepsy. The survey consisted of inquiries regarding the management of seizures, the utilization of anti-seizure medications, and the presence of psychiatric comorbidities. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS).

Results: The findings indicated that individuals who were using multiple antiseizure medications had a notably higher likelihood of having psychiatric comorbidities in comparison to those who were on mono therapy (p = 0.010). suggests that patients with unsuccessful seizure control are more probable to have psychiatric comorbidities as compared to those with good seizure control (p = 0.029).

Conclusion: To conclude poor seizure control and poly therapy are associated with increased risk of psychiatric comorbidities.

Keywords: Antiseizure medications; Epilepsy; MRI findings; Psychiatric comorbidities; Valproate.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anticonvulsants* / therapeutic use
  • Comorbidity
  • Epilepsy* / drug therapy
  • Epilepsy* / epidemiology
  • Epilepsy* / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders* / drug therapy
  • Mental Disorders* / epidemiology
  • Middle Aged
  • Pakistan / epidemiology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult