View in EDS

Depressive symptoms as independent correlates of epilepsy‐related cognitive burden.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Depressive symptoms as independent correlates of epilepsy‐related cognitive burden.
Authors: Sancetta, Biagio Maria (AUTHOR), Lippa, Giuli (AUTHOR), Nesta, Marianna (AUTHOR), Ricci, Lorenzo (AUTHOR), Carbone, Simona Paola (AUTHOR), Veronese, Lorenzo (AUTHOR), Conti, Giulia (AUTHOR), Sferruzzi, Marco (AUTHOR), Di Lazzaro, Vincenzo (AUTHOR), Tombini, Mario (AUTHOR), Assenza, Giovanni (AUTHOR)
Source: Epilepsia (Series 4). May2026, Vol. 67 Issue 5, p2425-2439. 15p.
Subjects: Mental depression, Epilepsy, Generalized anxiety disorder, Beck Depression Inventory, Cognition disorders, Anxiety, Seizures (Medicine)
Abstract: Objective: This study was undertaken to assess the relationship between the severity of depression and anxiety symptoms and epilepsy‐related variables and cognitive burden in people with epilepsy (PwE), as assessed using EpiTrack. Methods: We prospectively enrolled a cohort of PwE who underwent EpiTrack and evaluation by Generalized Anxiety Disorder‐7 (GAD‐7) and Beck Depression Inventory‐II (BDI‐II) scales. We assessed the correlation strength between EpiTrack, GAD‐7, BDI‐II, and the other clinical variables. Analysis of variance and covariance assessed the existence of GAD‐7/BDI‐II differences between PwE with and without epilepsy‐related cognitive impairment. Hierarchical regression analysis (HRA) and logistic regression were performed to characterize the association between BDI‐II and GAD‐7 and the presence/severity of epilepsy‐related cognitive burden. Mediation analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between EpiTrack and the other variables applied. Results: We enrolled 100 PwE (42 ± 18 years old). EpiTrack inversely correlated with BDI‐II (−.33, p =.003, not with GAD‐7), seizures (−.34, p <.001), epileptiform abnormalities (34, p <.001), and pharmacological burden (.21, p =.002). BDI‐II correlated with seizure frequency (.27, p =.02). PwE with cognitive impairment had significantly higher BDI‐II scores, independently of age, seizure frequency, epileptiform abnormalities, and pharmacological load (p =.02–.04). BDI‐II effect on EpiTrack was independent from seizures. The addition of BDI‐II in HRA and logistic regression provided a significant increase of the R2 value (p =.004) and of area under the curve (p =.02). Significance: More severe depressive symptoms are strongly associated with worse cognitive performance in PwE, independently of the other epilepsy‐related variables. Depressive symptoms could either forecast the occurrence of epilepsy‐related cognitive impairment or arise as a consequence of cognitive dysfunction in PwE. We confirmed the association between epilepsy severity and epilepsy‐related cognitive impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Epilepsia (Series 4) is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
Description
Abstract:Objective: This study was undertaken to assess the relationship between the severity of depression and anxiety symptoms and epilepsy‐related variables and cognitive burden in people with epilepsy (PwE), as assessed using EpiTrack. Methods: We prospectively enrolled a cohort of PwE who underwent EpiTrack and evaluation by Generalized Anxiety Disorder‐7 (GAD‐7) and Beck Depression Inventory‐II (BDI‐II) scales. We assessed the correlation strength between EpiTrack, GAD‐7, BDI‐II, and the other clinical variables. Analysis of variance and covariance assessed the existence of GAD‐7/BDI‐II differences between PwE with and without epilepsy‐related cognitive impairment. Hierarchical regression analysis (HRA) and logistic regression were performed to characterize the association between BDI‐II and GAD‐7 and the presence/severity of epilepsy‐related cognitive burden. Mediation analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between EpiTrack and the other variables applied. Results: We enrolled 100 PwE (42 ± 18 years old). EpiTrack inversely correlated with BDI‐II (−.33, p =.003, not with GAD‐7), seizures (−.34, p <.001), epileptiform abnormalities (34, p <.001), and pharmacological burden (.21, p =.002). BDI‐II correlated with seizure frequency (.27, p =.02). PwE with cognitive impairment had significantly higher BDI‐II scores, independently of age, seizure frequency, epileptiform abnormalities, and pharmacological load (p =.02–.04). BDI‐II effect on EpiTrack was independent from seizures. The addition of BDI‐II in HRA and logistic regression provided a significant increase of the R2 value (p =.004) and of area under the curve (p =.02). Significance: More severe depressive symptoms are strongly associated with worse cognitive performance in PwE, independently of the other epilepsy‐related variables. Depressive symptoms could either forecast the occurrence of epilepsy‐related cognitive impairment or arise as a consequence of cognitive dysfunction in PwE. We confirmed the association between epilepsy severity and epilepsy‐related cognitive impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:00139580
DOI:10.1002/epi.70108