Seizure attacks while driving: quality of life in persons with epilepsy

To study the effect on quality of life (QOL) of a seizure attack while driving in persons with epilepsy (PWE).

From four provincial and eight university hospitals in Thailand, we enrolled epileptic patients who drove a car or motorcycle or used to drive. The SF-36 questionnaire was used to evaluate QOL. The mean SF-36 score for all dimensions was calculated and compared with patients who either had or did not have a seizure attack while driving and in those who either had or had not been involved in a traffic accident while driving.

We had 245 adult PWE who drove a car or motorcycle or used to drive. Of these, 69 cases (28%) had a seizure attack whilst driving. Over half (36/69; 57%) had had seizure-related accidents, most of which were mild but about 20% needed hospitalization. PWE having a seizure attack while driving had a significantly lower QOL in four of the eight categories compared with patients who had not. PWE who had a seizure-related accident had a significantly lower mean value in the vitality category than those who did not.

Seizure attacks while driving diminished QOL in PWE even though they only suffered minor injuries. Driving as a QOL issue should be discussed with patients. A good public transportation system would ease the need to drive.