Seizure-related Injuries in People with Epilepsy: A Cohort Study from Saudi Arabia
Abstract number :
1.394
Submission category :
16. Epidemiology
Year :
2023
Submission ID :
31
Source :
www.aesnet.org
Presentation date :
12/2/2023 12:00:00 AM
Published date :
Authors :
Presenting Author: Safiyyah Asiri, MD – King Fasial Medial City of southern region
Mubarak Al-Dosari, Adult Neurology Consultant – KFMC; Asma Al-Enizi, Pediatric neurology consultant – KFMC; Alaa Eskandrani, Pediatric neurology consultant – KFMC
Rationale: Patients with epilepsy have a high risk of accidents and injuries,
resulting in minimized physical activity and social withdrawal. Therefore, we
surveyed the prevalence and the types of injuries that patients with epilepsy may
endure and the factors that may increase the risk of injuries.
Methods: In this cohort study, adult and pediatric patients diagnosed with epilepsy
(age≥7 years) and a close family member (parents/guardian) attending the
outpatient epilepsy clinics at King Fahd Medical City (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)
were interviewed by neurologists. They reviewed the patients' medical records
and administered a structured questionnaire to identify and compare several
variables, including injury frequency versus seizure type and seizure frequency,
number of antiseizure medications used, medication compliance, and work and
social limitations.
Results: Out of 200 patients, 86 (43%) sustained injuries during an attack of
their habitual seizures. Almost half of this group showed a tendency for recurrent
injuries. The most common traumas were soft tissue injury (36.5%), head
injury (32%), dental injury (8.5%), burns (7%), dislocation (7%), fractures (6.5%),
and submersion (2%). Two-thirds of the patients had their injury at home. Sixty-four percent of patients who had seizures for more than 10 years sustained multiple injuries
(P = .003). Injury frequency was higher among patients with daily or monthly
seizures (P = .03). Seventy-six percent of patients who suffered injuries more than twice had
generalized tonic-clonic seizures, and genetic generalised epilepsy was encountered
more in injured patients (P = .02). Also, patients on polytherapy were more
likely than those on monotherapy to have an injury (P = .003).
Conclusions: Two-fifths of the patients reported seizure-related injuries. The
most common were soft-tissue injuries and head traumas, while homes were
the most frequent site. In addition, longer epilepsy duration, generalized tonicclonic
seizures, and polytherapy were associated with a higher prevalence of
injuries. Therefore, injury prevention strategies should be developed for PWE,
especially for those at higher risk.
Funding: None
Epidemiology