Death anxiety in patients with epilepsy

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.