May the right-side epileptogenic zone be a predictor of psychiatric comorbidity in people with refractory epilepsy?. Issue 3 (3rd May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Novais, Filipa; Loureiro, Susana; Andrea, Mafalda; Figueira, Maria Luísa; Pimentel, José; Câmara Pestana, Luís
• Is Part Of: Laterality. Volume 25:Issue 3(2020)
• Page Start: 275
• Page End: 284
• Publication Date: 2020-05-03
• Subjects: Refractory epilepsy -- epileptogenic zone -- laterality -- psychiatric disorders; Laterality -- Periodicals; Cerebral dominance -- Periodicals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1080/1357650X.2019.1662431
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1357-650X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to determine the rate and types of lifetime psychiatric disorders, as well as their predictors, in a sample of people with refractory epilepsy. Demographic, neurological, psychiatric and neuropsychological data, from people with refractory epilepsy, were registered at the pre-surgical interview. Linear regression was used to determine predictors. One hundred and ninety-one participants were included. Forty-six percent of our sample had at least one previous psychiatric diagnosis, most frequently depressive (64%), anxiety (10%), substance use (10%) and psychotic disorders (6%). Patients with a right-side epileptogenic zone had an increased risk for these disorders (OR 2.36; CI 1.22–4.56; p = 0.01). Specific epilepsy-related factors may raise the risk of developing a psychiatric disorder. Our study adds evidence to support a bidirectional relationship between epilepsy and mental health.