title: The lack of antiepileptic drugs and worsening of seizures among physically handicapped patients with epilepsy during the Great East Japan Earthquake.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Takuto Rehabilitation Center for Children is located in Sendai, the capital of the Miyagi prefecture, and faces the Pacific Ocean. The tsunami caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake resulted in tremendous damage to this region. Many physically handicapped patients with epilepsy who are treated at our hospital could not obtain medicine. We surveyed patients with epilepsy, using a questionnaire to identify the problems during the acute phase of the Great East Japan Earthquake.
  
  
  METHODS
  After the earthquake, we mailed questionnaires to physically handicapped patients with epilepsy who are treated and prescribed medications at our hospital, or to their parents.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 161 respondents completed the questionnaire. Overall, 68.4% of patients had seven days or less of stockpiled medication when the earthquake initially struck, and 28.6% of patients had no medication or almost no medication during the acute phase after the earthquake. Six patients were forced to stop taking their medication and nine patients experienced a worsening of seizures. Most (93.6%) patients stated they require a stockpile of medication for more than seven days: 20months after the earthquake, 76.9% patients a supply of drugs for more than seven days.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We suggest that physically handicapped patients with epilepsy are recommended to prepare for natural disasters by stockpiling additional medication. Even if the stock of antiepileptic drugs is sufficient, stress could cause worsening of seizures. Specialized support is required after a disaster among physically handicapped patients with epilepsy.
authors: Department of Pediatric Neurology, Takuto Rehabilitation Center for Children, Sendai, Japan. Electronic address: kobasato@muf.biglobe.ne.jp.
authors: Satoru
authors: S
authors: Kobayashi
authors: Department of Pediatric Neurology, Takuto Rehabilitation Center for Children, Sendai, Japan.
authors: Wakaba
authors: W
authors: Endo
authors: Department of Pediatric Neurology, Takuto Rehabilitation Center for Children, Sendai, Japan.
authors: Takehiko
authors: T
authors: Inui
authors: Department of Pediatric Neurology, Takuto Rehabilitation Center for Children, Sendai, Japan.
authors: Keisuke
authors: K
authors: Wakusawa
authors: Department of Pediatric Neurology, Takuto Rehabilitation Center for Children, Sendai, Japan; Department of Pediatrics, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan.
authors: Soichiro
authors: S
authors: Tanaka
authors: Department of Pediatric Neurology, Takuto Rehabilitation Center for Children, Sendai, Japan; Department of Pediatrics, Ekoh-Ryoikuen, Sendai, Japan.
authors: Akira
authors: A
authors: Onuma
authors: Department of Pediatric Neurology, Takuto Rehabilitation Center for Children, Sendai, Japan; Department of Pediatrics, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan.
authors: Kazuhiro
authors: K
authors: Haginoya
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000600:supply & distribution* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D004189:Disaster Planning; D004190:Disasters; D055866:Earthquakes; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000453:epidemiology; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D012640:Seizures / Q000503:physiopathology; D062205:Strategic Stockpile; D013997:Time Factors; D057192:Tsunamis; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants
keywords: Epilepsy; Physically handicapped patients; Severe motor and intellectual disabilities; The Great East Japan Earthquake