Preventing depression in adolescents with epilepsy.
OBJECTIVE
The goal of the work described in this article was to test the possibility of preventing depression among adolescents with epilepsy.


METHODS
Adolescents with newly diagnosed epilepsy (104 patients) were screened for depression. The risk for depression was increased in 30 (28.8%) patients (mean age 17.4, 60% females) who were randomized into two equal treatment groups: (1) cognitive-behavioral intervention (CBI) group and (2) treatment with counseling as usual (TAU) group. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Center for Epidemiological Study on Depression (CES-D) scale, Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), and Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE-31) were administered at baseline and during the 9-month follow-up.


RESULTS
Initial BDI and HAMD scores for the two groups were comparable. Depression was diagnosed during follow-up in three patients in the TAU group. Subthreshold depressive disorder significantly improved at follow-up in the BCI group compared with the TAU group (P<0.05). QOLIE-31 Total scores significantly correlated with both mood improvement and seizure-free state.
Martinović
Zarko
Z
Department of Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology, Institute of Mental Health, 11000 Belgrade, Palmoticeva 37, Serbia and Montenegro. yscn@sezampro.yu
Simonović
Perisa
P
Djokić
Rada
R
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003376:Counseling; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors