Abstracts

Rationale: Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder that has a significant impact on quality of life. Many studies have observed higher unemployment rates among patients with epilepsy. However, unemployment rates vary according to the clinical conditions, country and group studied. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional multicenter epidemiological study to evaluate the socio-occupational and employment profile of 872 adult patients with epilepsy followed in outpatient epilepsy clinics in Spain. The following characteristics and variables were analyzed: socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients, socio-occupational profile in relation to different clinical situations and statistical association between the clinical variables and the socio-occupational situation of the patients. Results: Between October 2007 and February 2008 872 questionnaires from patients with epilepsy were compiled by 82 neurologists. The mean age was 38.2 years (range 18-65). Focal epilepsy was present in 61.7% of the patients, generalized epilepsy in 35.3% and 3% had indeterminate epilepsy. Approximately one-fourth (27.7%) were refractory. Overall, 58% of the patients were active at the time of the survey, 10.9% of the patients were unemployed and 12.5% presented occupational incapacity. These data were similar to those of the general population in Spain in the first quarter of 2008, although unemployment rates were slightly higher among epilepsy patients than in general population (9.63%). Refractory epilepsy, having at least one seizure in the last 12 months, and polytherapy showed statistical correlation with an increased risk of unemployment. An increased risk of occupation incapacity was associated with patient age at disease onset before 10 years of age, presence of focal seizures, refractory epilepsy, at least one seizure in the last 12 months, and polytherapy. Conclusions: Patients with epilepsy in Spain showed during the period from October 2007 to February 2008 employment rates similar to those of the general population, and slightly higher levels of unemployment. Some studies in other countries have reported higher unemployment rates in patients with epilepsy compared with general population. Differences between studies could be related to differences in cultural, social, political and economical differences between countries. The main factors associated with unemployment and incapacity were the presence of refractory epilepsy, the occurrence of a seizure in the last 12 months, and polytherapy.