The Relationship between Characteristics of People with Epilepsy and Anxiety Symptoms

Epilepsy is a chronic neurodevelopmental disorder with an unpredictable course. This study aimed to determine the relationship between anxiety disorders, assessed using the GAD-۷, and the characteristics of epilepsy patients at the Teaching Hospital. This research design is an analytical study with a cross-sectional design. The study population comprises all patients diagnosed with epilepsy and receiving follow-up care at the neurology clinics as well as its affiliated hospitals during the study period. The sample size was ۷۷ participants. The collected data were the demographic and clinical characteristics of epilepsy patients. Chi-square test was used with a significance level of p < ۰.۰۵. The results indicated a p-value > ۰.۰۵, indicating no significant difference in the proportion of anxiety based on demographic characteristics (gender, age, education level, and working status), with a higher proportion of anxiety observed in females compared to males (p = ۰.۴۸۶). Regarding the clinical characteristics of PWE, a p-value of ۰.۰۱۳ was obtained, indicating a significant difference in the proportion of anxiety between patients with controlled seizures and those with uncontrolled seizures. Seizure control is an important factor influencing anxiety levels in individuals with epilepsy. It is recommended that PWE receiving anti-seizure medications, either monotherapy, dual therapy, or polytherapy, should undergo early and continuous anxiety assessments to follow for early intervention and both pharmacological and non-pharmacological management to prevent the worsening of the epilepsy condition.

Keywords:

anxiety , clinical characteristics , Demographic Characteristics , Epilepsy , Seizure control