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

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.