Frequency and factors associated with emergency department attendance for people with epilepsy in a rural UK population

Abstract Attendance at UK Emergency Departments (EDs) for people with epilepsy (PWE) following a seizure can be unnecessary and costly. The characteristics of PWE attending a UK rural district ED in a 12-month period were examined to foster better understanding of relevant psycho-social factors asso...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Epilepsy & behavior 2017-03, Vol.68, p.192-195
Main Authors: Allard, Jon, Shankar, Rohit, Henley, William, Brown, Andrew, McLean, Brendan, Jadav, Mark, Parrett, Mary, Laugharne, Richard, Noble, Adam J, Ridsdale, Leone
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Cross-Sectional Studies
Deprivation
Emergency Department
Emergency Service, Hospital
Epilepsy
Epilepsy - therapy
Female
Hospital
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Neurology
Rural Population
Seizure
Surveys and Questionnaires
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Summary:Abstract Attendance at UK Emergency Departments (EDs) for people with epilepsy (PWE) following a seizure can be unnecessary and costly. The characteristics of PWE attending a UK rural district ED in a 12-month period were examined to foster better understanding of relevant psycho-social factors associated with ED use by conducting cross-sectional interviews using standardized questionnaires. Of the total participants (n = 46), approximately one-third of the study cohort attended ED on three or more occasions in the 12-month study period and accounted for 65% of total ED attendances reported. Seizure frequency and lower social deprivation status were associated with increased ED attendance while factors such as knowledge of epilepsy, medication management, and stigma were not. Similarities in frequency of repeat attendees were comparable to a study in urban population but other factors varied considerable. Our findings suggest that regular ED attendees may be appropriate for specific enhanced intervention though consideration needs to be given to the fact that population characteristics may vary across regions.
ISSN:1525-5050
1525-5069
DOI:10.1016/j.yebeh.2017.01.017