Abstracts

Rationale: Previous studies support the concept that obesity is a common comorbid condition in patients with epilepsy. In this study we described the body mass index (BMI) and data from a survey to assess physical activity in a sample of patients with epilepsy.Methods: Between June of 2011 and January of 2013 one hundred patients from an adult epilepsy clinic were studied. We obtained BMI, abdominal perimeter and information about physical activity using a standardized questionnaire. Clinic, electro-graphic and imaging parameters were collected from charts. Mean, standard deviation and intervals were used to describe numerical variables and frequencies and proportions for categorical variables. Analysis of Chi square and t-student were used to explore associations according the distribution of variables.Results: Mean age of patients was 40.2 14.0 (18-77). Fifty-six percent were males. Sixty-six percent had symptomatic epilepsy, 23% idiopathic and 11% cryptogenic. The BMI distribution in this sample was as follows: underweight (BMI<18) 2%, normal (BMI 18.5-24.9) 26%, over-weight (BMI 25-29.9) 34%, obese (BMI 30-34.5) 25% and morbid obesity (BMI>35) 13%. Factors associated with obesity were generalized epilepsy (p<0.024), family history of epilepsy (p<0.005) and idiopathic etiology (p<0.037). A higher frequency of developmental delay/learning disabilities was found in obese patients (21.05%) compared with non-obese (12.9%), although it was not statistically significant (p 0.281). A leisure time habit was reported in 82% of obese patients, and 79% of patients without obesity. The most common physical activity performed by patients was walking (70%), followed by home exercise (21%) and weight training (18%). Home exercise (p <0.044) and jogging (p<0.024) were significantly less frequented in obese compared with non-obese patients. The number of leisure activities per week was less in obese (1.84 1.76) compared with non-obese subjects (2.39 2.17), but it was not statistically significant (p 0.173). No significant association was found between antiepileptic treatment and the BMI index. Valproic acid showed a trend, being more used in obese patients OR 1.7 IC 0.569-5.527, p >