Dados do Trabalho

Título

Anxiety in Persons with Epilepsy during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Introdução

The pandemic determined by COVID represented an unexpected environmental stressor. Persons with epilepsy (PWE) have an extra burden caused by several factors, such as fear of having seizures or lack of access to medical treatment.

Objetivo

In this study, we aimed to: (1) evaluate the presence and severity of anxious symptoms in PWE during the COVID pandemic in Brazil and (2) correlate its possible risk factors.

Método

We interviewed PWE without cognitive deficits and major psychiatric disorders during the first lockdown period. The interview comprised socioeconomic aspects and epilepsy-related factors. We also addressed attitudes (e.g., access to medication) and perceptions (e.g., fear of having seizures) toward COVID. PWE responded to the generalized anxiety disorder 7 items (GAD-7) questionnaire for anxiety and NDDI-E for depressive symptoms. The statistical analysis was performed using two-way ANOVA and bivariate analysis.

Resultados

134 PWE (59% female, mean age 41.90[±17.2]), with a disease duration of 22.03 [±16.09] years, were interviewed. 98 (73.1%) PWE had focal epilepsy, with 20 (14.9%) being drug-resistant. Forty-four (31.65%) had mild anxiety symptoms, and 44 (32.83%) had moderate/severe symptoms. 81 (60,4%) PWE felt supported by their epilepsy care physician. From this sample, 53.7% of all patients had a previous psychiatric diagnosis, of which 37 (27, 6%) had anxiety disorder, 19 (14.2%) had depressive disorder, 14 (10.4%) had mixed disorder, and 2.2% had substance abuse. There was a relationship between higher scores on GAD-7 with running out of medication [F(2.12) = 6.769; p < 0.010), increased seizure frequency [F(2.12) = 6.178; p 0.003], and the presence of follow-up with a psychiatrist before the pandemic [F(2.12) = 5.095; p < 0.007). The post-hoc analysis showed that the increased seizure frequency had a higher influence (with a higher average) on the GAD-7 compared with other variables. Bivariate analysis determined a strong and positive correlation between NDDI-E scores and GAD-7 (p=0689; p< 0.001).

Conclusão

The presence of higher anxiety symptoms was associated with medication access, increased seizure frequency, presence of prior psychiatric disorders, and depressive symptoms. This datum points to the fact the PWE needs a multidisciplinary approach, namely under stressful circumstances.

Palavras-chave

epilepsy, anxiety, COVID,