Fatigue, sleep quality, depression symptoms, and antiseizure medication resistance in patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy

• Published in: Therapeutic advances in neurological disorders Vol. 18; p. 17562864251325338
• Main Authors: Zhong, Rui, Zhao, Teng, Li, Nan, Li, Jing, Li, Guangjian, Zhang, Xinyue, Lin, Weihong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England SAGE Publications 01.01.2025; SAGE Publishing
• Subjects: Original Research; PWNDE; ASM resistance; depression symptoms; fatigue; sleep quality
• ISSN: 1756-2864; 1756-2856; 1756-2864
• DOI: 10.1177/17562864251325338

Association between fatigue, sleep quality, depression symptoms, and antiseizure medication resistance in patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy Why was the study done? Complaints of fatigue and poor sleep quality are common in patients with epilepsy. A crucial problem related to fatigue is that it may precipitate a single or multiple seizures. Patients with poor sleep quality also have high seizures frequency and depression symptoms. We wondered whether patients with fatigue or poor sleep quality have higher risk of developing resistance to anti-seizure medication. We also investigate the role of depression symptoms in the relationship. What did the researchers do? The research team invited patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy to participate in this study in Northeast China. The participants were asked to complete questionnaires to assess fatigue, sleep quality and depression symptoms. Then the participants were treated with anti-seizure medications. The researchers observed how the patients responded to the anti-seizure medications over 24-month period. What did the researchers find? A total of 189 patients participated in this study. We observed that 59 patients had resistance to anti-seizure medication and 130 responded well to drugs. Patients who had fatigue were more likely to experience drug resistance. Similarly, patients who had poor sleep quality were more likely to have drug resistance. Additionally, depression symptoms play an important in the effect of fatigue and sleep quality on drug responsiveness. What do the findings mean? This study has some important findings. Patients who had fatigue or poor sleep quality were more likely to responded poorly to anti-seizure medications. We also observed the mediating role of depression severity. These findings tell us the importance of assessing fatigue, sleep quality and depression symptoms in patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy which may help identify those at greater risk of drug resistance.