Screening for depression in patients with epilepsy: What are the benefits for physicians and patients in the real‐life setting

Abstract Objective Screening for depression in people with epilepsy (PWE) is highly recommended in order to avoid underdiagnosis, misdiagnosis, or delayed diagnosis of this highly impacting comorbidity. Here we evaluated the impact of reporting and suggesting depression via the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) on medical decision‐making, and thereby the value of a depression screening for good medical practice. Methods Of 445 BDI data sets, PWE with scores indicating moderate (BDI 19–29) to severe depressive disorder (BDI >29) were extracted and clinical reports were retrospectively reviewed regarding decisions on antidepressants, anti‐seizure medications (ASMs), and non‐pharmaceutical interventions. Results Sixty‐four PWE (14%; 56% female; mean age 39.7 years) showed elevated BDI scores, with 40 (63%) categorized as moderate depression and 24 (37%) as severe depression. Thirty‐nine percent of PWE already had a pre‐existing diagnosis of depression and 53% left the clinic with the diagnosis of depression, half of them with antidepressants. High depression scores were associated with any intervention in 53%, interventions with potentially mood affecting ASM in 19%, treatment with antidepressants in 11%, and non‐pharmaceutical interventions in 41%. Non‐pharmaceutical interventions were related to BDI scores. Changes of potentially mood‐affecting ASMs were more frequent in PWE with moderate scores, and introduction of antidepressants appeared as a trend related to higher depression scores. Significance The finding of an only weak relation between high depression scores, diagnoses of depression, and treatment consequences questions the diagnosis and treatment pathway and the clinical value of the BDI screening in PWE. Prospective standard procedures need to be established for depression diagnosis and treatment including follow‐up evaluations of the validity of the diagnosis and effectiveness of the decisions taken.