Leisure time and social activity after a newly diagnosed unprovoked epileptic seizure in adult age. A population-based case-referent study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate leisure time activity and factors that influence it in an adult cohort having newly diagnosed unprovoked epileptic seizures.


METHODS
A cohort of 62 patients > or =17 years with a newly diagnosed unprovoked epileptic seizure during 1985-87 and 93 sex- and age-matched referents were followed up regarding leisure time activity, marital status and driver's license for 10 years till 1996. Data were questionnaire derived.


RESULTS
Patients became significantly less physically active, traveled abroad less often and were generally less active during their leisure time than referents. No other significant differences were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
After a newly diagnosed unprovoked epileptic seizure in adult age, most leisure time activities, marital status and holding of driver's license are not affected. Patients become physically less active than referents. The role of seizures for this difference is unclear and other medical and social factors should be considered.
Lindsten
H
H
Department of Neurology, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University Hospital, Sweden. hans.lindsten.us@vll.se
Stenlund
H
H
Forsgren
L
L
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data