اضطراب مرگ در بیماران مبتلا به صرع

Purpose Whereas the relationship between epilepsy and anxiety has received much attention, less is known about the relationship between death anxiety and this disorder. The objective of this study was to assess death anxiety among epileptic patients who attended the outpatient neurology clinic at the Salmaniya Medical Complex, Kingdom of Bahrain. Methods Ninety-two patients (48 males and 44 females) completed a death anxiety scale. The scale items were adopted from already published surveys and adjusted to suit epilepsy patients. Results Results showed that the mean death anxiety score was moderate (2.75 ± 1.35), with 26.09% of patients reporting high levels of death anxiety. Period of illness and educational level were significant predictors of death anxiety. Female patients, generalized type of epilepsy, the short duration of the illness and low level of education were associated with higher death anxiety scores. Conclusion This study highlights the need for developing treatment strategies, counseling therapies and social support for people with epilepsy to decrease their death anxiety and improve their quality of life.

Numerous studies have revealed a significant relationship between death anxiety and psychological distress; depression and anxiety among different patient populations.1, 2 and 3 However, death anxiety among epileptic patients has been rarely studied. Existing evidence indicates that epilepsy populations have elevated levels of depression and anxiety, compared to matched controls.4 Indeed, anxiety related to epileptic seizures may occur as anticipatory anxiety and affect the patient's state of anxiety5 or it may be part of the epileptic aura.6 Therefore, it follows logically that death anxiety could be a significant issue for individuals suffering from epilepsy. The present study will evaluate death anxiety among a sample of epileptic patients attending an outpatient neurology clinic in Bahrain. Death anxiety will be examined in relation to the period of the illness, educational level, gender, epilepsy type and perceived controllability of epilepsy. In addition, death anxiety will also be examined with regard to religious commitment, which has been shown to be an important component of death anxiety.7