Psychosocial issues in people with epilepsy in Togo and Benin (West Africa) I. Anxiety and depression measured using Goldberg's scale

This study in Togo and Benin, West Africa, was aimed at measuring depression and anxiety among people with epilepsy (PWE). Methods. This cross-sectional study of 281 adult PWE in Togo and 215 in Benin matched with the same number of controls without epilepy used Goldberg's anxiety and depression scale. Thhe statistical tests used for comparisons were x2 tests, Fisher's exact test, analyisi of variance, and Fisher's PLSD test when necessary. Results. PWE in Togo and Benin had significantly higher (P < 0.0001) average depression scores (4.4 ± 2.1, 4.7 ± 2.7) than controls (0.5 ± 0.9,1.4 ± 2.4). They also had significantly higher (P < 0.0001) average anxiety scores (5.3 ± 2.0, 6.2 ± 2.1) than controls (2.5 ± 1.6, 1.6 ± 2.0). In consideration of the thresholds of the scale, the prevalence of possible major anxiety and depression among PWE was also very high compare with controls (P < 0.0001). High anxiety and depression scores were, in general, positively correlated with a higher frequency of seizures and lack of treatment. Conclusion. Results confirmed the existence of anxiety and depression among PWE in Togo and Benin. © 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.