Anxiety in epilepsy. Gender differences

Abstract

Background: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of anxiety symptoms in women and men with epilepsy, and to evaluate their relationships with psychological variables: duration of the epilepsy disease, education, marital status, and urban/rural areas. Method: In this study, 281 patients with epilepsy were evaluated: 157 women and 124 men, aged 18 – 71. Anxiety symptoms were evaluated with Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale. The study took place at the National Center of Epileptology, Chisinau, the Republic of Moldova in 2020 – 2021. Results: This study has demonstrated that anxiety symptoms are present in 56% of women and 35% of men. Anxiety is highlighted in 40% of women and 31% of men with higher education versus 64% of women and 36% of men with secondary education. Anxiety is present in 44% of single women, 60% – married, 70% – divorced, and 50% – widowed in comparison with men: 28% of single men, 40% – married, 33% – divorced. Anxiety is more evident in urban area – 31% of men versus 53% women in comparison with rural area 38% of men versus 59% women. With the progression of the epilepsy disease, the symptoms of anxiety are more pronounced in both men and women. Conclusions: These results confirm that anxiety is more common in women especially in those married and divorced; psychological assessment and interventions are recommended to all patients with epilepsy, to reduce anxiety, improve the social competency and the quality of life.