Prevalence and Predictors of Psychiatric Disorders in Patients with Epilepsy in a Tertiary Level Care Hospital

Abstract

Background: Common mental disorders are severe and frequent co-morbid psychiatric illnesses with epilepsy.
Different study findings across the world showed that patients with epilepsy have a higher burden of mental
disorders than the general population. However, these issues in patients with epilepsy have been consistently
undiagnosed.
Objectives: The study aimed to screen common mental disorders and the determinants among patients with
epilepsy.
Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among patients with Epilepsy from March
10 to May 15, 2021. Patients were assessed for the risk of common mental disorders using a pretested, structured,
self-reporting questionnaire (SRQ-20). The collected data were entered into Epi-data version 3.1 software and
analyzed using R version 4.0 software. Descriptive statistics were computed using frequency, percent, mean,
and standard deviations. A simple logistic regression model was fit to identify the association and strength of
exploratory variables and common mental disorders at a 95% confidence interval and p-value < 0.05.
Results: The study included 202 patients diagnosed with epilepsy and yielded a response of 91.4%. About 53%
of the patients were males. The magnitude of common mental disorders among patients with epilepsy was 57.9%
(95% CI: 44.56, 71.24). Being more than one substance user (AOR = 5.7; 95%CI: 1.6, 20.7) and Not having social
support (AOR = 4.3; 95%CI: 1.5, 11.9) were the identified determinants of common mental disorders.
Conclusion: The magnitude of common mental disorders among patients with epilepsy were high. Not having
social support and khat chewing were the identified risk factors significantly associated with common mental
disorders. Early screening and treatments are the key interventions to prevent complications and deaths from
common mental disorders.