Air travel and seizure frequency for individuals with epilepsy

Abstract

This study investigated whether air travel is associated with an increase in seizures for individuals with epilepsy. Thirty-seven participants monitored their seizure frequency for one week prior to flying and for one week after flying. For the sample as a whole, seizures were significantly more common after flying (p=.02). No seizures were reported as occurring during flight. Participants who experienced an increase in seizures after flying compared to those who did not (a) had a higher baseline of seizure frequency (p=.004), (b) were more likely to have previously experienced an increase in seizures after flying (p=.001), (c) were more worried about having a seizure while flying (p=.001) and (d) were more likely to avoid air travel (p=.02). Participants with complete seizure control prior to flying did not experience seizures after flying. Distance traveled, time zones crossed, duration of flight and direction of flight were not significantly different for those with seizure increase than for those without such an increase. This study suggests that air travel promotes an increase in seizures for those with a prior history of flight related seizures and a relatively high baseline seizure frequency.

Provoked and reflex seizures: Surprising or common?

“…A threat of flooding and evacuation in the Southern part of The Netherlands was clearly linked to increased frequency of seizures in adults (Swinkels et al., 1998). In addition, flying, and especially worrying about having a seizure while flying, proved provocative (Trevorrow, 2006).…”

“…When a seizure does occur, its timing can be either during the stressful situation itself or during the period of relaxation following stress (Trevorrow, 2006).…”

Neurology at the airport

“…Drug screening is mandatory in any patient with seizures or altered mental status of unknown origin in the setting of air traffic and may be critical for potentially fatal diagnoses as cocaine packs rupture. As for epileptic patients, a study by Trevorrow found that a previous high seizure frequency, fear of having a seizure and history of seizures in previous flights were the main factors in predicting a seizure following a flight 11. The use of drugs and sleep pattern were not investigated.…”

Acute Drug Administration in Epilepsy: A Review

“…Air travelling is an important aspect of modern life, both for private and professional reasons, and especially long‐distance flights producing jet lags appear to create typical risk situations for seizures. Seizure frequency was increased following flights of 23 volunteer patients over a mean distance of >2400 miles and lasting approximately 6 h in a study of Trevorrow [50]. Prophylactic ADA is not discussed in this study, and its use seems not to have been investigated in any targeted investigation.…”