224956 Reports of Seizure History and Problems with Activities of Daily Living in a Medicare Population

Tuesday, November 9, 2010 : 3:45 PM - 4:00 PM

H.R. Foushee, PhD , Center for the Study of Community Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
Roy Martin, PhD , Neurology Chair Office, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
Polly Kratt, PhD , Preventive Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
Dora Adoboe, MPH , Preventive Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
Maria Pisu, PhD , Medicine/ Preventive Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
     
Introduction: Elderly people may be more susceptible to the consequences of seizures including loss of independence and increased injury risks. The current study examined the association between self-reported seizure history and activities of daily living (ADLs) in a Medicare population.

Methods: A telephone survey was completed with 1009 randomly selected adults 65 and older enrolled in Medicare in Jefferson County Alabama. The questionnaire assessed health conditions, medical care, limitations, quality of life, and demographics. Seizure history was assessed by self-reports of having seizures, convulsions, shaking episodes, shaking, fainting or staring spells, or fits. Problems with 12 ADLs (range 0-12) were also measured.

Results: The sample was 72% white, 27% African American, and 65% female. The average age was 78.8 years. Overall, 17.0% reported a seizure history, which was significantly associated with number of co-morbidities (p < .001) and reports of brain injuries (p < .001). Respondents with a seizure history had significantly more ADL problems than those without (3.9 vs. 1.9, t=8.94, p < .001). Respondents with a seizure history reported significantly more difficulty with all 12 ADLs measured, such as bathing, dressing, or managing money. In multiple regressions seizure history remained a significant predictor of number of) ADLs (p < .001) controlling for age, income, education, race, brain injuries, number of co-morbidities, and overall health.

Discussion: Elderly people on Medicare reporting any type of seizure history had widespread disruptions in ADLs. Special efforts are needed in this population to moderate these effects and improve their quality of life.

Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Chronic disease management and prevention
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs

Learning Objectives:
Describe the prevalence of self-reported seizure history in the elderly. Identify problems with activities of daily living in the elderly. Compare problems with activities of daily living by seizure history status.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I assisted with study development and managed data collection for the survey from which results are reported.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 4275.0: Older Adults and Disability