EFFECTS OF ANTIEPILEPTIC DRUGS ON THE LEVEL OF PHYSICAL FITNESS IN PATIENTS WITH EPILEPSY

Epilepsija je jedna od najčešćih neuroloških poremećaja čija je karakteristika epileptični napad. Uzroci nastanka epilepsije su raznoliki, od različitih mehaničkih trauma i oštećenja mozga, do metaboličkih ili prehrambenih poremećaja te velikih svjetlosnih i zvukovnih podražaja. Primjenom adekvatne dijagnostike stanja bolesnika, određuje se dijagnoza i daljnje liječenje. Najčešće je to farmakološko liječenje primjenom određenih antiepileptik kroz mono ili politerapiju. Cilj ovog diplomskog rada bio je ispitati utjecaj antiepileptika i ostalih parametara na razinu tjelesne aktivnosti kod osoba sa epilepsijom. Uzorak ispitanika činilo je 40 osoba oboljelih od epilepsije, 21 muškarac i 19 žena prosječne dobi od 24 do 45 godina (35.15± 10.01), a istraživanje je provedeno u KBC '' Sestre milosrdnice'' na odjelu neurologije, u Zagrebu. Testiranje se provodilo putem IPAQ upitnika koji je sadržavao 5 varijabli : posao, prijevoz, kućanski poslovi i briga za obitelj, sport i sportska rekreacija, vrijeme provedeno sjedeći. Korištene su i varijable o trajanju bolesti, učestalosti napada, vrsti epileptičnog napadaja te vrsti liječenja koje su dio općih podataka iz dokumentacije ispitanika. Dobiveni rezultati prikazuju kako je najčešća niska razina TA kod osoba sa statusom nezaposlen, koji boluju više od 15 godina i imaju više od 15 napada tijekom godine. Kod osoba sa generaliziranim napadima također je zabilježena niska razina TA,a visoka TA kod osoba sa žarišnim napadima. Muškarci za razliku od žena više bilježe visoku razinu TA kao i zaposlene osobe. Bolesnici liječeni monoterapijom više prakticiraju višu razinu TA za razliku od onih koji koriste više od dva antiepileptika, politerapija, u svom liječenju gdje je zabilježena niska razina TA. Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders whose characteristic is an epileptic seizure. The causes of adult onset epilepsy are very varied, ranging from mechanical traumas and brain damage, to metabolic or nutritional disorders and large-scale light and sound stimuli. Diagnosis is obtained upon the use of adequate diagnostic tests to evaluate patient condition and a further course of treatment is selected. It is most commonly pharmacological treatment through the use of specific antiepileptic drugs by resorting to mono or polytherapy. The specific objective of this graduate thesis was to examine the effects of antiepileptic drugs and other parameters on the level of physical activity in people with epilepsy. The sample of respondents comprised of 40 people suffering from epilepsy, 21 men and 19 women whose average age was from 24 to 45 years old (35.15± 10.01), while the research was conducted at Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre at the Department of Neurology in Zagreb. The tests were conducted through the IPAQ questionnaire that comprised of 5 domains: work, transport, household chores and care for the family, sporting activities and recreation, as well as sedentary time. Disease duration variable was also used, as well as variables on incidence of seizure, type of epileptic seizure and type of treatment, which are included in general information provided in medical record documentation. According to the findings, unemployed persons suffering from epilepsy for over 15 years with over 15 seizures throughout the year most frequently showed low levels of physical activity. Low levels of physical activity have also been identified in persons with generalised seizures, while persons with focal seizures show high levels of physical activity. Men and employed persons more frequently show high levels of physical activity, as opposed to women. Patients on monotherapy more frequently show higher levels of physical activity, as opposed to those using more than two antiepileptic drugs, i.e. those on polytherapy, who show low levels of physical activity.