Do depression symptoms predict seizure frequency--or vice versa?
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to test a theoretical explanatory model of the relationship between depression symptom scores and seizure frequency in people with epilepsy.


METHODS
A community-based sample of adults with active epilepsy provided information on depression symptom scores and seizure frequency at two time points, 1 year apart.


RESULTS
One thousand two hundred ten patients completed the initial questionnaire, and 976 of these individuals (80.7%) completed the final questionnaire. Depression scores and seizure frequency were significant predictors of each other, both within (beta = .07, P < .05 and beta = .09, P < .05) and across time (beta = .03, P < .01 and beta = .07, P < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
The relationship between depression symptom scores and seizure frequency in those with epilepsy is bidirectional.
Thapar
Ajay
A
Department of General Practice, Manchester University, Manchester, UK. thaparak@cardiff.ac.uk
Roland
Martin
M
Harold
Gordon
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012640:Seizures / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index