Dados do Trabalho

Título

ANXIOUS MOOD DISORDERS IN PATIENTS WITH EPILEPSY TREATED AT THE ADOLESCENT MEDICINE CLINIC OF THE FMABC UNIVERSITY CENTER: AN OBSERVATIONAL CASE-CONTROL STUDY

Introdução

Anxiety and depression are common comorbidities in patients with epilepsy and are associated with various negative outcomes, often being underdiagnosed. Recent epilepsy quality of life measures recommend screening for mood disorders such as depression and anxiety at every neurological consultation and specifically endorse the use of screening tools.

Objetivo

The objective of this study was to compare anxiety symptoms in adolescent patients with epilepsy attending the adolescent medicine clinic at FMABC University Center, Santo André, Brazil.

Método

This is an observational case-control study in which 20 patients diagnosed with epilepsy were compared with 20 age-matched patients without epilepsy. All participants were assessed using the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED) scale.

Resultados

According to the collected data, the age range analyzed was 12 to 18 years, with the majority being male. Among the patients with epilepsy, 42% presented with symptoms of anxious mood disorder, while 53% of the control group scored on the anxiety scale.

Conclusão

According to the presented data, in our sample, the control group had a higher number of patients with anxious symptoms compared to the group with an epilepsy diagnosis. This finding may be influenced by the use of anti-seizure treatments, which can include medications that help stabilize mood. Additionally, patients in the control group may be associated with other comorbidities not identified in this study. In this context, the present study contributes to the understanding of mood disorders that may be associated with epilepsy, aiming to improve clinical outcomes and quality of life for these patients.

Referências

Kwong KL, Lam D, Tsui S, Ngan M, Tsang B, Lai TS, Lam SM. Anxiety and Depression in Adolescents With Epilepsy. J Child Neurol. 2016 Feb;31(2):203-10. doi: 10.1177/0883073815587942. Epub 2015 Jun 1. PMID: 26033229.
Engel ML, Shanley R, Scal PB, Kunin-Batson A. Anxiety and depressive symptoms in adolescents and young adults with epilepsy: The role of illness beliefs and social factors. Epilepsy Behav. 2021 Mar;116:107737. doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2020.107737. Epub 2021 Jan 23. PMID: 33493808.
Munger Clary HM, Wan M, Conner K, Brenes GA, Kimball J, Kim E, Duncan P, Snively BM. Examining brief and ultra-brief anxiety and depression screening methods in a real-world epilepsy clinic sample. Epilepsy Behav. 2021 May;118:107943. doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.107943. Epub 2021 Apr 8. PMID: 33839449; PMCID: PMC8477167.

Palavras Chave

transição; epilepsia; ansiedade