PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify clinical correlates of self-reported aggressiveness (SRA) in patients with epilepsy treated with levetiracetam (LEV) with special reference to the role of depression.
METHODS: A consecutive sample of adult outpatients with epilepsy was assessed with the Neurological Disorder Depression Inventory for Epilepsy, the Adverse Event Profile (AEP), and the Emotional Thermometer.
RESULTS: From a total sample of 163 consecutive patients treated with LEV, SRA at any level (from rarely a problem to always) was associated with a 7-fold increased risk of being depressed (95% CI: 3.0-17.5; p<0.001). Self-reported aggressiveness was reported as "always" a problem by 9.8% of the patients. In these patients, apart from depression, SRA was associated with high AEP total scores (55.1 vs. 39.3; p<0.001) and polytherapy (43.8% vs. 19.8%; p=0.034). Anxiety scores were not elevated (4.9 vs. 3.6; p=0.183).
CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported aggressiveness during treatment with LEV is not an isolated symptom but is associated with depressed mood. Anxiety-mediated mechanisms do not seem to be involved.