A comprehensive meta-analysis of 27 epidemiological studies involving more than 565,000 people with epilepsy (PWE) and more than 13 million individuals without epilepsy found that PWE have significantly higher odds of developing a wide range of psychiatric disorders. These include anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, substance use disorders, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Notably, autism spectrum disorder showed the strongest association, with individuals with epilepsy being over 10 times more likely to have the condition than those without epilepsy. These associations remained consistent across diverse study designs and populations.
The findings underscore the substantial psychiatric burden experienced by people with epilepsy and highlight the need for integrated care approaches that prioritize mental health. Early identification and effective management of psychiatric comorbidities in this population are critical not only for improving quality of life but also for optimizing epilepsy treatment outcomes. Clinicians are encouraged to routinely screen for psychiatric disorders in patients with epilepsy to provide timely and comprehensive care.
Reference: Kwon CS, Rafati A, Ottman R, et al. Psychiatric Comorbidities in Persons With Epilepsy Compared With Persons Without Epilepsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JAMA Neurol. 2025 Jan 1;82(1):72-84. doi: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2024.3976. PMID: 39585664; PMCID: PMC11589854.
