Incidence of Seizure-Related Injury: Traffic Accident, Falling and Drowning in Epileptic Patients
Jinda J, MD1,3, Pranboon S, MSN2,3, Tiamkao S, MD1,3 on behalf of the Integrated Epilepsy Research Group
Affiliation : 1 Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand 2 Nursing Division, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand 3 Integrated Epilepsy Research Group, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Background : People with epilepsy (PWE) are high risk of accidents and injuries more than normal population. There has been no
national data study on the traffic accident, falling and drowning in hospitalized epileptic patients in Thailand.
Objective : To determine the incidence of traffic accident, falling and drowning of PWE in Thailand.
Materials and Methods: The authors retrospectively explored national data in Thailand for reimbursement of seizure-related
injuries (SRI) focus on traffic accident ICD 10 (V20 to V99), falling ICD 10 (W00 to W19) and drowning ICD 10 (W65 to W74) of
epilepsy patients’ age of 18 or over who admitted in the fiscal year 2004 to 2012. PWE were diagnosed and searched based on ICD
10 (G40, G41) from the national database with Universal Health Coverage Insurance office.
Results : There were 86,531 PWEs in the present study; most were males 57,653 cases (66.63%). PWE had traffic accident 312 cases
(Incidence rate 361 per 100,000). The most of motor vehicle crashes traffic accidents were motorcycles 283 cases (90.7%), followed
by cars 15 cases (4.8%) pickup 11 cases (3.5%) bus 2 cases (0.6%) and truck 1 case (0.3%) respectively. Seizure-related falls were
3,265 cases (incidence 3,750 per 100,000) and drownings were 42 cases (incidence 50 per 100,000). At discharge, 90.75% of
patients were improved, while 7.31% were not improved, and in-hospital mortality rate was 1.94%. drownings were 42 cases
(incidence 50 per 100,000).
Conclusion : This finding supports the public policy for consider issue legal driving license for PWE in Thailand. In addition, seizure-
related falls especially fall from working at heights or among construction workers must be considered.
Keywords : Seizure-related injuries, Traffic accident, Falling, Drowning, Epilepsy
