Abstracts

Rationale: People with epilepsy (PWE) are considered unsuitable to drive because they represent greater risk of being involved in a traffic accident. This argument is supported by the unpredictability of seizures. Legal restrictions for PWE to obtain a driver s license (DL) vary across nations. The period along which a PWE has had no seizures is the most relevant aspect considered by countries authorities. In Brazil, this period is 01 year. Many PWE, not knowing the laws, omit epilepsy from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in order to obtain the DL. Over 90% of people with epilepsy omit their condition when requesting the licenseMethods: Adolescents and young adults diagnosed with epilepsy according to the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) were asked to answer a questionnaire addressing possible responses that will be provided to the DMV physician. This project was approved by the Research Ethics HCFMUSP (0204/11). Results: Results: we evaluated 59 PWE, mean age 19.8 years, 38 men. Only 3 PWE had seizures without impairment of consciousness (Table 1); idiopathic etiology in the majority (36/59); 38 subjects had seizures in wakefulness; 12 both while sleeping and awaken and 09 expressed crises only when asleep; the therapeutic regimen as monotherapy predominated (36/59), and the VPA was prescribed in 23; 34% were not informed by their physicians about the risks of driving. The group was subdivided: Group 1 - did not have a license: 54 subjects - 70% of participants reported they intend to obtain the license; 09 did not intend to discuss with the doctor the possibility of getting the qualification, 8% intend to obtain the license even without the consent of the physician; 61% did not know the current legal rules of the country; 39% intend to omit epilepsy in the DMV, 21 % said they intend to omit the number of seizures, 26% will provide incorrect information, 72% said they know it is dangerous to drive, and 83% said they would carry their families. Group 2 licensed - 05 subjects, 02 of them had seizures in the past 06 months, and 01 (typical absence with low adherence to antiepileptic treatment) had more than 10 seizures in the past 06 months; 04 had seizures only during wakefulness, 02 had seizures in the past 06 months, and 01 of them had crisis while driving his motor vehicle, 02 omitted epilepsy, 03 reported no medications correctly used and 02 omitted the frequency of their seizuresConclusions: Despite knowing the risks of driving, most teens and young adults with epilepsy want to drive but do not know the laws and intend to provide incorrect information to the DMV.