Anxiety and depression in the caregivers of patients with epilepsy and their effects on the quality of life

Objective: In this study, it is aimed to evaluate the effects of increased physical and physiological burden of relatives of epileptic patients on their mood states and life qualities. Method: Three seperate groups enrolled in our study which were the patient group, the relative group and the healthy group. Sociodemographic features of all three groups and epileptic disease features of the patients were recorded. Collected data was analysed in SPSS v22.0 program. Independent Samples t test was used for the comparison of scale scores of two groups and One Way ANOVA test was used for the comparison of three or more groups. Pearson chi-square or Likelihood ratio tests were used for the evaluation of relations between categorical variables. P values smaller than 0.05 were accepted as significant. Findings: Scale scores of relatives indicated the increased risk of anxiety and depression as well as the deteriorated life quality in relatives. Results: Having an epileptic patient amongst their relatives was found to be an independent risk factor for increased anxiety and depression in relatives of epileptic patients.