TY - JOUR
T1 - Seizure-related injuries and hospitalizations
T2 - Self-report data from the 2010 Australian Epilepsy Longitudinal Survey
AU - Bellon, Michelle
AU - Walker, Christine
AU - Peterson, Chirs
PY - 2013/1
Y1 - 2013/1
N2 - Aim: To examine self-report data on seizure-related injuries and hospitalizations. Method: We analyzed data from the 2010 Australian Epilepsy Longitudinal Survey, distributed to registrants on the Australian Epilepsy Research Register. 343 responses were received (55% response rate), providing insight into experiences of living with seizures. This article examines self-report data on injuries related to seizures and hospitalizations. Results: 64% of those reporting injuries required hospital treatment. Respondents with seizure-related injuries had significantly earlier seizure onset, with risk of injury related to myoclonic and atonic seizures and currently taking 3 or more AEDs. Soft tissue injuries were the most frequently reported (85%), with 27% indicating facial injuries. Conclusions: The high rate of hospitalizations largely for soft tissue injuries suggests that access to more appropriate care was not available. Further research into care-seeking behavior by Australians suffering injury following seizure is required. Additionally, awareness of injury risks is important for appropriate self-management of epilepsy.
AB - Aim: To examine self-report data on seizure-related injuries and hospitalizations. Method: We analyzed data from the 2010 Australian Epilepsy Longitudinal Survey, distributed to registrants on the Australian Epilepsy Research Register. 343 responses were received (55% response rate), providing insight into experiences of living with seizures. This article examines self-report data on injuries related to seizures and hospitalizations. Results: 64% of those reporting injuries required hospital treatment. Respondents with seizure-related injuries had significantly earlier seizure onset, with risk of injury related to myoclonic and atonic seizures and currently taking 3 or more AEDs. Soft tissue injuries were the most frequently reported (85%), with 27% indicating facial injuries. Conclusions: The high rate of hospitalizations largely for soft tissue injuries suggests that access to more appropriate care was not available. Further research into care-seeking behavior by Australians suffering injury following seizure is required. Additionally, awareness of injury risks is important for appropriate self-management of epilepsy.
KW - Atonic seizure
KW - Epilepsy
KW - Longitudinal survey
KW - Myoclonic seizure
KW - Seizure-related injuries and hospitalizations
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84870309154&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.yebeh.2012.10.019
DO - 10.1016/j.yebeh.2012.10.019
M3 - Article
SN - 1525-5050
VL - 26
SP - 7
EP - 10
JO - Epilepsy and Behavior
JF - Epilepsy and Behavior
IS - 1
ER -