title: Alterations in balance and mobility in people with epilepsy.
abstract: People with epilepsy (PWE) are burdened by physical disability and side effects of antiepileptic drugs (AED) such as drowsiness and blurred vision. These factors place them at risk for reduced mobility and falls. The purpose of this study was to evaluate mobility and balance in PWE.
  
  
  
  This was a cross-sectional study of PWE and age- and sex-matched controls. We evaluated mobility and balance using the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) and the Tinetti Mobility Test (TMT). Self-reported confidence in balance was assessed using the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC). Clinical and demographic characteristics and particularly epilepsy-related variables were recorded.
  
  
  
  We included 33 PWE and 33 controls. PWE had a mean age of 36.7years, and 61% were male. They had a mean of 1.52 of seizures per month and used a mean of 1.6 anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs). PWE scored significantly worse in all measures (TUG, TMT, ABC) when compared with controls. PWE had poor performance in 60.6% of cases in the TUG and in 48.5% of cases in the TMT, compared to none in the control group. There was good correlation between the three instruments. TUG scores were correlated with epilepsy duration, but not age, seizure control or AED use. On multivariate logistic regression, poor performance TMT was significantly associated with poor confidence in balance, according to the ABC.
  
  
  
  PWE have significant alterations in balance and mobility, independently of AED use or seizure control. These alterations are reflected in a poor self-reported confidence in carrying out daily activities.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Neurologia, Hospital Universitario "Dr. José E. González", Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Electronic address: crcamara83@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Carlos R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Camara-Lemarroy
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Neurologia, Hospital Universitario "Dr. José E. González", Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Mexico.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ortiz-Zacarías
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Neurologia, Hospital Universitario "Dr. José E. González", Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Mexico.
authors.forename: Juan J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Peña-Avendaño
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Neurologia, Hospital Universitario "Dr. José E. González", Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Mexico.
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Estrada-Bellmann
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Neurologia, Hospital Universitario "Dr. José E. González", Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Mexico.
authors.forename: Héctor J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Villarreal-Velázquez
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Neurologia, Hospital Universitario "Dr. José E. González", Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Mexico.
authors.forename: Marco A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Díaz-Torres
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants
keywords: Balance; Epilepsy; Falls; Gait; Mobility