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Seizure Attacks While Driving: Quality of Life in Persons with Epilepsy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 December 2014

Somsak Tiamkao ,
Kittisak Sawanyawisuth ,
Somchai Towanabut ,
Pongsak Visudhipun  and
Thai QOL Epilepsy Investigators
Somsak Tiamkao*
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen
Kittisak Sawanyawisuth
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen
Somchai Towanabut
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, Prasart Neurological Institute
Pongsak Visudhipun
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi, Mahidol University, Bangkok
*
Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, 123 Mitraparp Road, Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand
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Abstract

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Objective:

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

Methods:

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.

Results:

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.

Conclusions:

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.

Résumé:

RÉSUMÉ:Objectif :

Le but de l’étude était d’évaluer l’effet sur la qualité de vie (QV) de crises convulsives survenues pendant la conduite automobile chez des patients épileptiques (PÉ).

Méthode :

Nous avons inclus dans l’étude des PÉ qui conduisaient une automobile ou une motocyclette ou qui en avaient conduit une dans le passé, identifiés dans quatre hôpitaux provinciaux et huit hôpitaux universitaires en Thaïlande. La QV a été évaluée au moyen du questionnaire SF-36. Le score moyen SF-36 pour toutes les dimensions a été calculé et comparé entre les patients qui avaient eu une crise en conduisant et ceux qui n’en avaient pas eu, et ceux qui avaient été impliqués dans un accident de la route en conduisant et ceux qui ne l’avaient pas été.

Résultats :

Nous avons identifié 245 PÉ adultes qui conduisaient une automobile ou une motocyclette ou qui en avaient conduit une dans le passé. Parmi eux, 69 patients (28%) ont eu une crise alors qu’ils conduisaient. Plus de la moitié (36/69; 57%) avaient eu des accidents en rapport avec une crise, dont la plupart étaient mineure. Cependant, environ 20% ont dû être hospitalisés. Les PÉ qui avaient eu une crise alors qu’ils conduisaient avaient une QV significativement plus faible dans quatre des huit catégories par rapport aux patients qui n’en avaient pas eu. Les PÉ qui avaient eu un accident en rapport avec une crise avaient une valeur moyenne significativement plus faible dans la catégorie vitalité que ceux qui n’en avaient pas eu.

Conclusion :

Les crises épileptiques survenues en conduisant diminuent la QV chez les PÉ même s’ils ne subissent que des blessures légères. L’aspect QV de la conduite devrait être abordé avec les patients. Un bon service de transport en commun peut diminuer le besoin de conduire.

Type
Original Article
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 36 , Issue 4 , July 2009 , pp. 475 - 479
Copyright
Copyright © The Canadian Journal of Neurological 2009

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