Background Seizures can lead to injuries in patients with epilepsy (PWE). This study seeks to determine the 1-year incidence, types, and associated factors of seizure-related injuries in PWE compared with that of patients without epilepsy.

Methods A retrospective cohort study was carried out at the Douala General Hospital, Douala, Cameroon. Patients with active epilepsy within the past 5 years were compared to patients without epilepsy after matching them by age and gender during a 12-month period. Data was collected from patient records using a questionnaire and analyzed using the SPSS version 20 software. The chi-square test was used to compare the proportions of injuries at a significant level of p < 0.05 and a confidence interval (CI) of 95%.

Results A total of 155 participants were recruited in each group. Note that 51.6% were males, and the mean age was 25.46 ± 16.35 years. The 1-year incidence of all injuries was 26.5% in PWE against 16.8% among patients without epilepsy, respectively (p = 0.038; odds ratio = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.03–3.10). Soft tissue injury was higher in PWE (82.9%, p < 0.05) compared to those without epilepsy (50%), whereas patients without epilepsy had more cases of burns compared to PWE (p < 0.05). PWE and having frequent seizures with falls and those on more than one antiseizure medication had an increased risk of injuries (p < 0.05).

Conclusion PWE have a double risk of having mild soft tissue injuries attributed to epileptic seizures. The risk is increased in PWE having seizures with falls and those taking more than one antiseizure medication.

Article published online:
06 August 2024

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