Depression among Epileptic Patients in Governmental Community Mental Health Centers in Gaza Strip

Abstract

Background: Depression is the most common co-morbid psychiatric disorder in patients with epilepsy. Its prevalence has been reach up to 60%. It significantly affects the quality of life and increase suicidal rate among patients with epilepsy. There are several factors that cause depression in epilepsy such as biological factors, psychosocial factors include (stigma, discrimination, joblessness, and lifestyle change) and sometimes may be a side effects of antiepileptic drugs. Objectives: To understand the occurrence of depression among epileptic patients from its prevalence and relationship with other variables. Study design: Descriptive, analytic, cross sectional study. Setting: The study was carried out in Governmental Community Mental Health Centers in Gaza strip. Method: One hundred fifty of epileptic patients from Governmental Community Mental Health Centers in Gaza strip were included in the study sample by using systematic random sampling. The respondents were 138 with response rate of (92%), 81 of them were male (58.7%), and 57 were female (41.3%). Patients with physical or mental disorder were excluded from the study. Patients anonymously filled out a questionnaire, included data about sociodemographic characteristics and epilepsy related variables. Standardized translated version of Beck depression inventory was used to evaluate depression. Statistical significance was calculated by using SPSS computer software program. Results: Prevalence of depression among participants was 63%, divided between 38.4% had mild depression, 24.6% had moderate depression, without severe depression. There are significant differences between depression rate and each of the following variables (gender, level of education, income, controllability of the disease and working status). Other variables were not found to be significant differences with depression include (age, marital status, residential area, type of medication, duration of illness and age of onset). Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of depression among epileptic patients in Community Mental Health Centers in Gaza strip. Female patients, uncontrolled epilepsy, unemployment, lower level of education and lower income groups more prone to have depression.