Falls and fractures in patients with epilepsy
Is there an increased risk? If so, why?
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Persons with epilepsy have an increased risk of fracture.1–4 Multiple factors likely influence this increased risk, including seizures, a propensity to fall secondary to impaired balance, and reduced bone mineral density (BMD). Although numerous studies have evaluated the risk of fractures in persons with epilepsy,1,–,4 few studies have included a good control population, and even fewer have been able to determine the effect of seizures on reported fractures. The risk of falls among persons with epilepsy has received very limited study. Although studies suggest that antiepileptic drug (AED) therapy influences the risk of fractures and falls, not all findings are consistent. For example, although AED polytherapy results in increased fracture risk,5,6 studies evaluating the effect of therapy duration do not find consistent results.1,2 No study has previously determined whether …
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