[Suicide risk factors in epileptic patients].

In search for risk factors of suicide behavior in epileptic patients one hundred and five patients were examined, including those with (70) and without (35) suicide behavior. Risk factors of suicide behavior encompassed the presence of co-morbid organic affective disorder and a combination of pronounced epileptoid type personality changes and epileptic cognitive deterioration. High frequency of primary generalized seizures and polymorphic seizures combination and typical anticonvulsants daily dosage, including phenobarbital, correlated with suicidal behavior. On the contrary, high frequency of complex partial seizures and high dosage of valproate derivatives and carbamazepin negatively correlated with a risk of suicidal behavior in epileptic patients. Comparing to phenobarbital, novel anticonvulsants--valproic acid derivatives, carbamazepin, lamotrigine--are superior in epilepsy treatment to prevent suicidal behavior.