title: Prevalence of depression among epileptic patients at Phramongkutklao Hospital.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence of depression among epileptic patients in Phramongkutklao Hospital and to find the factors associated with depression.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and ten epileptic patients were enrolled and 60 patients met the inclusion criteria. These subjects were screened with Thai Geriatric Depressive Scale (TGDS) and were interviewed. Demographic data that effect depression were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the 1-year study period, 60 of 110 patients diagnosed epilepsy were eligible. Prevalence of depression was 38.3%, which is similar to previous studies. Mild depression was found in 65.2% and moderate 34.8%, without severe depression. Comparing between male and female, there was no statistical significant difference (p = 0.75). The age group that compared between age equal or less than 25 years and more than 25 years had no statistical significant difference (p = 0.77). Other variables were not found to be significant risk factors of depression among epileptic patients including duration of seizures [equal or less than 5 and more than 5 per year (p = 0.43)], type of seizures [generalized tonic-clonic seizures and partial seizures (p = 0.69)], and number of antiepileptic drugs [monotherapy and polytherapy (p = 0.44)].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prevalence of depression among epileptic patients was 38.3%, divided between mild (65.2%) and moderate (34.8%). There were no significant risk factors correlated with depression. Epileptic patients should be made aware of this and seek prompt treatment for depression.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Phramongkutklao Hospital and college, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
authors.forename: Samart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nidhinandana
authors.forename: Yotin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chinvarun
authors.forename: Pasiri
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sithinamsuwan
authors.forename: Chesda
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Udommongkol
authors.forename: Jithanorm
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Suwantamee
authors.forename: Wanna
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wongmek
authors.forename: Seema
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suphakasem
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology