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Kim, Choi, Kim, Jang, Kim, and Koo: A Case of Epilepsy and Assessments of Fitness for Work
Case Report
Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2012; 24(3): 287-293.

Published online: 30 September 2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.0000/kjoem.2012.24.3.287

A Case of Epilepsy and Assessments of Fitness for Work

Kyoung-Han Kim, Min Choi, Se-Eun Kim, Tae-Won Jang1, Hyoung-Ryoul Kim1, Jung-Wan Koo1

Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, Korea.

1Department of Preventive Medicine, Center for Occupational & Environmental Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Korea.

Corresponding author (om1024@hanmail.net)

Received 1 June 2012       Revised 8 August 2012       Accepted 29 August 2012

Copyright © 2012 The Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Abstract

Background

Epilepsy affects an individual's ability to work as well as their daily activities. Patients with epilepsy have difficulties in finding and maintaining jobs, and they may not have opportunities to perform adequately. Therefore, evaluation of work-fitness is important for patients with epilepsy. In this report, the authors reviewed a case of epilepsy and discussed aspects of the case for evaluation of work-fitness.

Case report

A 43-year-old man with epilepsy visited the hospital for evaluation of work-fitness. His job consisted of forklift driving and crane operation using a remote control. As a seizure attack could threaten worker's safety, we recommended a job change. The employer refused to approve a job change due to the company's circumstances, so we recommended several conditions, including continuous medication, use of protective equipment, restriction of night-shift work, restriction of strenuous exercise, and profound sleep. An epilepsy event occurred during the follow-up period, prompting his company to evaluate his work. There were frequent movements of forklift operations and workers in the workplace, so we recommended restriction of forklift driving and a job change if possible. As a result, the employer changed his job and we recommended "capable of performing work without any conditions".

Conclusion

For evaluation of work-fitness in patients with epilepsy, adequate job analysis, assessment of patient's medical conditions, and interviews of coworker and employers should be conducted. It is also important to let the employer make the best decision in terms of the patient's health and coworker's safety.

Keywords: Epilepsy, Work capacity evaluation

Figures and Tables

Table 1
Evaluations of work-fitness
kjoem-24-287-i001

*conditions such as a job change (if possible), continuous medication, use of protective equipment, restriction of night-shift work, restriction of strenuous exercise, and profound sleep.

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