Burn: A Repeatable Injury with Severe Sequelae in Epileptic Patients

Epilepsy is the second leading cause of central nervous system diseases. Patients with epilepsy are exposed to various types of trauma during seizure. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the epidemiology of epileptic patients compared to patients without epilepsy.

In the present prospective study, among the total of 2119 patients admitted to the Imam Reza Hospital during 2015-2017, 44 were epileptic (2%). Demographic data, pattern, percentage, burn depth, and final outcome was evaluated and compared with non-epileptic patients using SPSS, version 24.

The mean age of epileptic patients was 38.3±12.9 years and 27 (61.4%) of the patients were male. About half of the patients (47.7%) did not use their medications regularly. More than one-third of the patients (n=15, 34.1%) had a history of burns and more than one third of them had a history of injury other than burns during seizure. The most common burn site was upper limb (61.4%) and the most common causes of burn were flame (59.1%) and hot liquids (26.7%). The rate of death was 4% (3 cases). In addition, the prevalence of grade 4 burns in epileptic patients was 18 times higher than that of non-epileptic patients.

Our study showed a high prevalence, depth, and repeatability of burns in epileptic patients. Considering that improper use of the drug and incomplete management of epilepsy are the predisposing factors for trauma, and on the other hand, flame and hot liquid were the most common causes of burns, it is essential that appropriate preventive measures be considered especially at homes. 
Funding: The present study was supported by Vice Chancellor for research of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences.