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Injuries due to seizures in persons with epilepsy: a population-based study
N D Lawn1, W R Bamlet, K Radhakrishnan
1Section of Electroencephalography, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Neurology
|November 10, 2004
Summary
Seizure-related injuries are uncommon and typically minor in epilepsy patients. High seizure frequency is the main risk factor, emphasizing the importance of effective seizure control to prevent injuries.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Epilepsy Research
- Patient Safety
Background:
- Previous research on seizure-related injuries focused on intractable epilepsy, potentially inflating risk estimates.
- This study addresses the need for data on injury incidence in the general epilepsy population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence and characteristics of seizure-related injuries in a population-based cohort of epilepsy patients.
- To identify risk factors associated with seizure-related injuries.
Main Methods:
- A population-based cohort of 247 epilepsy patients in Rochester, MN (1975-1984) was followed for 2,714 patient-years.
- Seizure-related injuries were defined as medically attended injuries resulting from seizures (excluding orolingual trauma).
- Risk factors were identified by comparing injured and uninjured patients using univariate and multivariate analyses.
Main Results:
- 62 seizure-related injuries occurred in 39 patients (16%), with an incidence of 1 injury per 44 person-years.
- Most injuries were minor cranial soft tissue contusions/lacerations (79%) and occurred during generalized convulsive seizures (82%).
- Seizure frequency was the only significant independent risk factor for injury (RR 1.33, p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Seizure-related injuries are infrequent and generally minor in the general epilepsy population.
- Excessive activity restrictions are often unnecessary; effective seizure control is key to reducing injury risk.
- This population-based data suggests a lower risk than previously estimated from studies of intractable epilepsy.
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