Abstract
In order to recognize issues on epilepsy managements for institutionalized persons with severe motor and intellectual disabilities (SMID), a questionnaire survey was performed in 29 institutions for SMID in Kinki area. The answers were sent back from 24 institutions housing 2602 people with SMID in total (1450 males, 1152 females). Those under 20 years old were counted 354 (13.6%). Eighteen hundred and one (69.2%) had a complication of epilepsy. Among those under 20 years old the comorbidity rate of epilepsy was 77.1%, significantly higher than among the adults. One attack and more in a month were seen in 39.6% and 36.5% took three antiepileptic drugs or more. VTR EEGs were studied in 7 out of 24 institutions, although ordinary EEGs were recorded in all but one. Full time pediatric neurologists worked for 18 institutions, but EEG technicians were positioned in 19 institutions, adult neurologists and/or neurosurgeons in 7, epileptologists in 6, respectively. Epilepsy is quite common and hard to control among persons with SMID. Newly marketed antiepileptic drugs and diagnostic tools are needed to be introduced much more in addition to medical professionals trained in epilepsy management.
