Seizure-related injuries in northeast Thailand

Abstract

Objective: The authors aimed to assess the frequency, characteristics, and risk of seizure-related injuries from traffic accidents, near-drowning, burns, fractures, head and soft tissue injuries.

Material and method: Attending physicians assisted 300 consecutive seizure patients to complete a questionnaire. The types and frequency of injuries were then expressed in terms of the type of seizure and related activity.

Results: The male (154) and female (146) patients were between 13 and 91 years of age (mean, 36.27 +/- 14.55). The seizure types comprised of Generalized Tonic-Clonic (GTC) (26%), secondary GTCs (21%) and complex partials (19%). Secondary causes accounted for 34% of seizures, and post-stroke was the most common (25.5%). The total number of seizure events per year was 8,525 and of these 7,306 included a fall with soft tissue injury (70%), head injury (22%), near-drowning (3%), burns (3%) and fracture or dislocation (1%). The ranking of significant risk factors for injuries was: 1) GTC seizure; 2) seizure with a fall; and, 3) number of seizures.

Conclusion: Seizure-related injuries are common among Thai epileptic patients; thus, consistent treatment and education about the risk of injury would protect patients.