Epilepsy and the Risks of Accidents

Research and clinical experience suggests that people with epilepsy are at higher risk for accidental injuries. On rare occasions, these accidents, such as drownings, motor vehicle accidents, and serious falls and burns, can prove fatal. However, even accidents that do not lead to death can cause disability, missed work or school, and increased health care expenses because of emergency room visits and hospitalizations.

Some of these accidents may be due to seizures themselves, but others may be due to comorbid conditions associated with epilepsy, such as cognitive and psychiatric impairment or medication side effects. These factors may lead to impaired judgement, impulsiveness, sleepiness, or poor balance.

Study on Rates and Risks for Accidents

A recent study by Mahler and colleagues examines the rates and risk factors for accidents in people with epilepsy. The authors use a well-defined, population-based cohort of people with incident epilepsy in northern Stockholm, Sweden.

Using links to national registries, they were able to identify most individuals who sought medical care for injuries, as well as identify comorbid medical, neurological, and psychiatric disorders. For each person with epilepsy, eight persons without epilepsy were selected from a population-based registry for comparison.

What the Study Found

• People with epilepsy were 71% more likely to have accidental injuries compared to the general population.
• The risk decreased to 30% when comorbid conditions were taken to account, suggesting that a portion of the increased risk of injury that people with epilepsy face may not be related to seizures themselves.
• People with brain tumors, stroke, diabetes, and psychiatric disease were at highest risk.
• Children less than 15 years of age were not at higher risk for injuries.
• Most of the injuries occurred within the first 2 years of epilepsy diagnosis.
• Falls, burns, motor vehicle and bicycle accidents, and drownings were the most common causes of injury.

What does this mean?

• This well-done study provides good information to help medical providers counsel people to prevent injuries, including highlighting which people are at highest risk to ensure they get more intensive or specialized counseling.
• Simple measures can be useful to anticipate and prevent common injuries. Find safety information here:
  • Article: “Preventative and Safety Measures for People with Epilepsy”
  • Managing Epilepsy & Seizures Infographic
  • Staying Safe with specialized sections on
    • Safety at Home
    • Safety While Sleeping
    • Safety in the Kitchen
    • Safety at Work
    • Safety with Sports and Exercise
    • Safety at Camp
  • Fall Safely
• The study also underscores the importance of educating people living with epilepsy and their families early after the diagnosis of epilepsy as most of the injuries occurred early in the course of illness.