Epilepsy significantly reduces the possibilities of taking up and maintaining a job, as well as career development. According to a study by TNS Polska, initiated by the Polish Society of Epileptology and UCB (February-March 2013), only 40 percent. working professionally in Poland.

Epilepsyis one of the most common neurological diseases. It is assumed that 1% of people suffer from it. society. In the world, 50 million people live withepilepsy , and in Poland - about 400 thousand. Every year, there are 40-70 new cases for every 100,000. people. Epilepsy is caused by periodic impairment of the nerve cells in the brain. Doctors distinguish more than 40 types of epileptic seizures. These are not only epilepsy seizures with body convulsions, but also "switching off" of consciousness, disturbed eyesight, hearing, taste and smell, and loss of consciousness.

Should I tell my employer about epilepsy?

- Many people with epilepsy do not admit their illness to their employer or colleagues. Unfortunately, patients often face discrimination in the work environment, mainly due to the lack of sufficient knowledge about the disease - says Aneta Bartnicka-Michalska, psychologist, psychotherapist, SWPS - Work for patients with epilepsy is not only a source of income, but also an extremely important role as a factor increasing self-esteem and a sense of belonging to society. That is why it is so important to provide the sick with all possible help in starting and keeping a job.

About 24 percent all the sick who work were on sick leave due to epilepsy during the last year. The average number of days on sick leave was 19 days.

PRO-EPI 2013 study on the social aspects of epilepsy. Project of the Polish Society of Epileptology and the pharmaceutical company UCB. Survey carried out by TNS Polska.

Important

Causes of epilepsy

The most common causes of epilepsy are head injuries, stroke or a brain tumor, and inflammation of the brain and meninges. In 60 percent of cases, however, the cause of the disease is unknown. Anyone at any age can develop epilepsy.

How to help a patient with an epilepsy attack?

Why are you sick withepilepsy not working?

24 percent of epilepsy patients surveyed never worked. The unemployed sick most often indicate the disease itself, difficulties in finding a job due to epilepsy, loss of job due to illness, dismissal due to a seizure at work, fear of not being accepted at work and unequal treatment as the reason for not working, and the fear of this, that no one will be able to help them when a robbery occurs at work.

- Employment opportunities increase as seizure control increases. That is why it is so important to strive for complete elimination of seizures. A satisfactory professional life is then possible in most epilepsy patients, says Dr. Beata Majkowska-Zwolińska from the Epileptology Foundation. These results are confirmed by the surveyed physicians who believe that, regardless of age, a greater number of epilepsy patients could be economically active after the seizures are eliminated. Almost 60 percent of the unemployed sick people declare that they want to work in the future. Another 12 percent of patients declare that they are willing to work as long as they do not have seizures.

Important

73 percent of the surveyed patients admit that epilepsy is the cause of many fears and anxieties in everyday life and limits, among others, acquiring education, developing interests, fulfilling social functions and influencing employment and keeping a job.

Effective epilepsy treatment can bring patients back into the labor market

- Improving the care of patients with epilepsy requires the introduction of clear diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines and the reimbursement of the latest generations of drugs (third-line drugs) intended for those patients who experience seizures despite many treatment attempts - emphasizes Prof. dr hab. n. med. Joanna Jędrzejczak, President of the Polish Society of Epileptology. This meets the expectations of the surveyed doctors who also indicate these changes as the most urgent.

- Since 2013, drugs that have been reimbursed so far only in treatment-resistant epilepsy have been available to patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy. This is good news for doctors and a group of patients, especially those with newly diagnosed epilepsy, but there is still a need for reimbursed access to third-line drugs, available for at least several years in the European Union, believes Prof. Jędrzejczak and adds - reimbursing these drugs, introducing detailed guidelines on how and when they can be used, will allow for their rational use and freedom from seizures to several percent of patients. Individualized therapy and the correct choice of medication allow for good controlabout 70 percent of all patients experience seizures.

Source:

PRO-EPI study en titled "Understanding epilepsy at work" was carried out in February and March 2013 by TNS Polska on the initiative of the Polish Society of Epileptology and the pharmaceutical company UCB. The study included a representative sample of neurologists (N=145) and adults with epilepsy (N=861). It was conducted by means of face-to-face interviews (doctors) and questionnaires for self-completion (patients). The data cited are: 1. Central Statistical Office. Department of Demographic Research and Labor Market (2013) Labor Market Monitoring. Quarterly information on the economic activity of the population. Page 4.2. Social Security. Department of Statistics and Actuarial Forecasts (2011) Expenditure on social security benefits related to incapacity for work. Page 36.

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