Behavioral risk factors among Arizonans with epilepsy: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 2005/2006

Modifiable risk factors to help improve health outcomes for people with epilepsy in Arizona were identified using the 2005–2006 Arizona Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Of 9524 adults who participated in this survey, 125 reported ever being diagnosed with epilepsy (lifetime prevalence = 1.3%, 95% CI = 1.1–1.6%). Individuals with active epilepsy (those who had seizures in the prior 3 months and/or were taking anticonvulsants) had an overall lower quality of life. This likely resulted from a large number of medical comorbidities and poor mental and physical health days. Regression models suggested that for individuals with active epilepsy, physical activity was associated with fewer activity-limited days, whereas for individuals with inactive epilepsy, medical comorbidity was positively associated with activity-limited days. Further research is needed to increase the reliability of the findings.