Purpose: To compare the prevalence of self-reported serious psychological distress using the Kessler 6 (K6) in persons with a history of epilepsy (PWE) to those without epilepsy from a population-based survey.
Methods: Data were analyzed from adults aged >or=18 years (n = 43,020) who participated in the 2005 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS).
Results: California adults with a history of epilepsy, after controlling for demographics and comorbidities, reported higher rates of feeling nervous [odds ratio (OR) 2.22], feeling hopeless (OR 1.35), feeling restless (OR 2.07), feeling depressed (OR 3.14), and feeling worthless (OR 2.57), and reported that everything has been an effort (OR 2.28) in the last 30 days. The K6 score showed that serious psychological distress is more common in PWE (OR 2.24). After adjusting for demographics, comorbidities, and serious psychological distress, PWE are more likely to report having 14 or more physical, mental, and general unhealthy days in the last 30 days.
Discussion: PWE have significantly higher rates of serious psychological distress and poor health-related quality of life after controlling for demographics, comorbidities. These comorbid conditions need to be factored into any comprehensive treatment strategy for managing PWE to achieve optimum quality of life.