Psychological Distress Among Iranian Patients With Epilepsy During COVID-۱۹ Pandemic

Background: During Coronavirus disease-۲۰۱۹ (COVID-۱۹) pandemic, patients with epilepsy (PWE) have faced with delayed outpatient visits, cancellation of their para-clinic tests, and problems in accessing to emergencies. Regarding to the previous studies, PWE are at increased risk of psychological disorders than healthy persons. Objectives: This study aimed to compare psychological distress between PWE and a healthy control group. Materials & Methods: This study was performed in the sixth wave of COVID-۱۹ in Mashhad, Iran. We evaluated ۱۳۲ PWE who consecutively referred to the Neurology Clinics of ۲۲ Bahman Hospital. Also, ۱۳۲ age and sex matched-healthy persons were included as the control group. Demographic and epilepsy related-data were collected through a questionnaire. The ۶-item Kessler questionnaire was used to assess psychological distress. Results: The included PWE and the control groups were similar among all demographic variables, unless monthly income. We found that PWE had significantly higher psychological distress level (P=۰.۰۳) and spent significantly more time following the COVID-۱۹-related news (P=۰.۰۰۰). By using ANCOVA test we found that PWE have significant higher levels of concerns about COVID-۱۹ (P=۰.۰۳) and spend more time following COVID-۱۹-related news (P=۰.۰۴). Logistic regression revealed that PWE ۱.۱۲۴ times more concern about COVID-۱۹ outbreak and ۰.۲۹۴ time pay less attention to COVID-۱۹ related news. Conclusion: During public health emergencies, health care professionals should focus not only on seizure control but also on the mental health status of PWE, particularly those with higher number of seizures.