Memory disturbances among adult sudanese epileptic patients in neurologic and psychiatric outpatient clinics in Khartoum State from June-September 2014

Abstract

The aim of this study is to identify the factor(s) associated with memory disturbances among adult Sudanese epileptic patients. Methodology: A case series study of 47 consecutive epileptic patients was done in different neurologic and psychiatric outpatient clinics in Khartoum State. Patients in the post ictal phase and with memory disturbances from different etiologies were excluded. Patients were interviewed by three psychiatrists and trained doctors using the memory component of the mental state examination to objectively assess memory disturbances. The subjective component of memory was assessed by a validated questionnaire (The Questionnaire of Memory Efficacy). Anxiety and depression were assessed by the validated Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Patients consent was obtained as necessary. Results: Short and long term memory disturbances were objectively detected in 68.1% and 31.9% of patients respectively. There was no significant association in the mean long term memory score among patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy and temporal lobe epilepsy (P = 0.72). However, there was a significant difference in the mean short term memory score among patients with temporal lobe epilepsy compared to idiopathic generalized epilepsy (p = 0.02). There was no significant association between the mean memory score and the duration of epilepsy, use of sodium valproate, carbamazepine and polytherapy (P = 0.34, 0.07, 0.43, 0.93) respectively. There was a correlation between memory disturbances and both anxiety and depression (R = 0.72, R 2 = 0.51, P = 0.00) and (R = 0.35, R 2 = 0.12, P = 0.025). Conclusion: Epilepsy causes significant memory disturbances that may be attributable to the disease itself and associated anxiety and depression.