EPILEPTIC PATIENT[ssquote]S ATTITUDES ON DRIVING IN PERU
Abstract number :
2.288
Submission category :
Year :
2002
Submission ID :
3417
Source :
www.aesnet.org
Presentation date :
12/7/2002 12:00:00 AM
Published date :
Dec 1, 2002, 06:00 AM
Authors :
Alberto D[iacute]az, Maria Meza, Rosa Velasco, Conrado Castro. Research Department, Instituto de Ciencias Neurol[oacute]gicas [dsquote]Oscar Trelles Montes[dsquote], Lima, Lima, Peru
RATIONALE: A seizure is the most common cause of loss or rejection of driving licenses for medical reasons. but there is variability in how physicians and the authorities who regulate driving approach this issue including on empirical; clinical; and statistical data. We want to know the opinion and attitudes of epileptic patients about this controversial issue.
METHODS: A questionnaire regarding driving were given to ambulatory adult epileptic patients evaluated in a neurological referral center (n = 104).
RESULTS: Patient had a mean age of 27.8 years; a mean duration of seizures of 10.7 years; and mean seizures frequency of 1 each 4.2 months; besides 85% were receiving regular antiepileptic drugs. Twenty five percent has driving licenses. Driving was an extremely important issue for 30%; important for 60%; and not important for 10%. Of 81% who were driving; 29% had had an accident. The cause was seizures in 45%; between them 25% had drunk alcohol.
CONCLUSIONS: Driving is an important issue for epileptic patients and many of them work in driving activities.
At the end the authors will be able to discuss the responsability of driving being an epileptic patient, specially knowing the risk to what they are exposed in such a developing country like ours.