Citation

Vusilović I, Marusic A. Psychiatr. Danub. 2006; 18(Suppl 1): 155-156.

Affiliation

Brodarjev trg 15, 1120 Ljubljana, Slovenia. (ivana.vusilovic@volja.net)

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Facultas Universitatis Studiorum Zagrabiensis - Danube Symposion of Psychiatry)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

16964170

Abstract

Background: Suicide is an important cause of death among persons with epilepsy. Most investigators have found 5-7% deaths due to suicide, compared to 1% in the general population. Major depression has been reported to be elevated, too. Objectives: To investigate the presence of depressive symptoms and suicidal behaviour in a sample of adults with epilepsy and to identify potential risk factors. Method: The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale and Suicidal ideations and behaviour questionnaire were administered to 100 consecutive outpatients with epilepsy. Information regarding epilepsy status, health status and demographic data were obtained. Results: About one third of subjects had a significant number of symptoms of depression. Suicidal features were present in 37%, 18% and 5% (passive and active suicidal ideations and suicidal attempt history, respectively) of the studied sample, and were not associated with any of the neurological variables. They were however associated to each other and some health related data (i.e. depressive features with suicidal features; both related to presence of mental disorder). Conclusions: Although suicidal behaviour and symptoms of depression are frequent among adults with epilepsy, they do not seem to be dependent on the neurological status.

Language: en