Psychiatric disorders, depression and quality of life in patients with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures and drug resistant epilepsy living in Argentina

SCÉVOLA, LAURA; WOLFZUN, CAMILA; SARUDIANSKY, MERCEDES; ARECO PICO, MARÍA MARTA; PONIEMAN, MICAELA; GONZALEZ STIVALA, ERNESTO; KORMAN, GUIDO PABLO; KOCHEN, SILVIA; D'ALESSIO, LUCIANA

SEIZURE : THE JOURNAL OF THE BRITISH EPILEPSY ASSOCIATION.

W B SAUNDERS CO LTD

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2021 vol. 92 p. 174 - 181

1059-1311

Objectives: Psychiatric disorders are frequently found in both patients with PNES and DRE, making the differential diagnosis even more complex. The aim of this study was to analyse and compare psychiatric aspects and the quality of life in patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) and drug resistant epilepsy (DRE). Methods: Patients admitted to VEEG unit with confirmed PNES and DRE were included. Demographical characteristics, psychiatric diagnosis according to SCID I and II of DSM IV, pharmacological treatment, general functioning measured with GAF (Global assessment of functionality), quality of life (QoL) using QlesQSF (Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire Short Form) and depression severity using BDI II (Beck depression inventory), were compared between the groups. Non-parametic tests, chi square test, and logistic regression were used for statistical analysis.Results: 148 patients consecutively admitted to VEEG were included (DRE n=97; PNES n=51). Somatization disorder (RR: 13.02, 95% CI: 1.23-137.39, p=0.03) and a history of trauma (RR: 8.66, 95% CI: 3.21-23.31, p= 0.001) were associated with PNES. The QlesQ score and the GAF score were lower with a higher prevalence of suicide attempts in the PNES group (p