Abstracts

Rationale: Motor vehicle accidents (MVAs), burns, drowning and head injuries are among the most feared epilepsy-related injuries. Risk factors for such injuries include number of antiepileptic drugs, history of generalized/complex partial seizures, and seizure frequency. .Patients with more severe form of epilepsy are at higher risk of injuries and accidents There is currently no data regarding the frequency of accidents including MVAs in patients with Epilepsy in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.. The purpose of our study was to investigate frequency of seizure-related accidents. Methods: We interviewed 65 consecutive patients seen in Epilepsy clinic at National Neuroscience Institute, King Fahad Medical City. The questionnaire used for interview consisted of demographic details, disease related parameters including duration of epilepsy, seizure frequency, number of anti epileptic drugs, compliance to treatment, and number of accidents including MVA. We calculated the frequency of accidents in our cohort and also compared to the demographic and clinical variables. Results: There were 38 males and 27 females, with mean age (+ SD) of 29.4 (+ 12.6) years. Average duration of epilepsy was 108 (range 1-480) months with mean seizure frequency of 1-3 per year. Number of AEDs per patient ranged between 0-4. All but 2 patients were on AEDs and were complaint to the treatment. All kind of accident were seen in 23/65 (35.4%) patients (6 females and 17 males). MVAs were seen in 8/38 (21%) male patients. Besides, MVA other accidents included burns, joint dislocations, bone fractures and head injuries related to falls. No correlation of accidents was seen with the seizure type and severity, duration of epilepsy, and number of AEDs used in our cohort. Conclusions: Seizure related accidents were seen in about one-third of our patients with epilepsy. MVAs were seen in one-fifth of the driving population. Our data highlights the importance of appropriate counseling to the patients and provides recommendation for strict epilepsy related driving laws in Saudi Arabia.