Health issues for women with epilepsy: A descriptive survey to assess knowledge and awareness among healthcare providers

The American Academy of Neurology and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recently issued practice parameters for women with epile psy. These parameters suggest optimal care practices. To assess knowledge o f the issues covered in the parameters and to facilitate educational effort s to promote best care, the Epilepsy Foundation conducted a survey of healt hcare professionals likely to provide care to women with epilepsy. The surv ey sampled 3535 healthcare professionals across a wide range of specialties . Most respondents did not know the specific effects of estrogen and proges terone on the seizure threshold, were not aware of menstrual-associated sei zure patterns, and could not identify which antiepileptic drugs interfere w ith oral contraceptives. The majority of respondents did not know that wome n with epilepsy have higher rates of infertility, reproductive endocrine di sorders, and sexual dysfunction. Most respondents did not know the frequenc y of birth defects in children born to women with epilepsy. Providers seein g the largest number of persons with epilepsy were more likely to have corr ect answers. By specialty, neurologists provided the highest number of corr ect responses, followed (in descending order) by endocrinologists, obstetri cians/gynecologists, internal medicine physicians, family practice physicia ns, and pediatricians. These results suggest that women with epilepsy are n ot receiving adequate counseling and that care practices may not conform to those recommended.