Survey Reveals Increase in Awareness Among Physicians

By Regina Reid
between Us staff
Posted: April 13, 2004

Women with epilepsy often deal with health issues that are unique to their gender. A 1998 survey conducted by the Epilepsy Foundation revealed that a significant number of health care providers who treat women with epilepsy were not aware of some of the specific issues involved.

After launching the Women & Epilepsy Initiative's Campaign for Women's Health, a subsequent survey by the Foundation in 2002 revealed that a higher percentage of neurology residents were by then knowledgeable about osteoporosis, catamenial epilepsy (when seizure activity increases around a woman's menstrual cycle) and other issues that affect women with seizures. The results were recently presented at the American Epilepsy Society's annual meeting in Boston.

The survey was conducted by Mariana V. Spanaki, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of Neurology at the Medical College of Wisconsin; Patricia Osborne Shafer, R.N., M.N., immediate past chair of the Foundation's professional advisory board; and Steven Schachter, M.D., professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School and director of Research, department of Neurology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and a member of the Foundation's board of directors.

The survey showed that neurology residents know more about the relationship between hormones and epilepsy and the occurrence of catamenial epilepsy, and that they also recognize the higher failure rate of hormonal oral contraceptives when taken with antiepileptic drugs. These young physicians were aware that women who take antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) bear a significant risk of osteoporosis.

They did not know, however, that there is a high rate of reproductive disorders and infertility associated with epilepsy and the use of AEDs. Most of the respondents were also unaware of the increased incidence of sexual dysfunction in women with epilepsy.

According to the survey, neurology residents are interested in learning more about the particular concerns of women with epilepsy.

"This survey is unique in that it evaluates a physician's knowledge and willingness to address recommended practices in epilepsy care for women," Shafer said. "It serves as a critical needs assessment, suggesting additional avenues for improving the care of women with epilepsy by targeting neurology residents and physicians entering practice."

Neurology residents will be the next generation of physicians to treat women with epilepsy. Spanaki said there is no doubt that better education of the physician leads to better patient care and stronger patient-physician relationships.