High prevalence of epilepsy in a village in the Littoral Province of Cameroon

Prischich, Francesca; Rinaldis, Marta De; Bruno, F; Egeo, Gabriella; Santori, Chiara; Zappaterreno, Alessandra; Fattouch, Jinane; Bonaventura, Carlo Di; Bada, J L; Russo, Gianluca; Pizzuti, Antonio; Cardona, Francesco; Vullo, Vincenzo; Giallonardo, Anna Teresa; D'Erasmo, E; Pelliccia, A.; Vanacore, Nicola

doi:10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2008.09.004

Cited by 73 publications

(70 citation statements)

References 32 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…A number of studies with high prevalence and incidence were identified as outliers (all from Latin America, Africa, or the Middle East), which may further influence heterogeneity. The authors of these studies commonly hypothesize that the presence of CNS infections or antibodies (e.g., neurocysticercosis, cysticercosis antibody), 25,[27][28][29][30] consanguinity or family history of epilepsy, [24][25][26]29 and perinatal/prenatal risk factors [28][29][30] may explain the higher prevalence and incidence.…”

Section: Results Identification and Description Of Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence and incidence of epilepsy

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objective: To review population-based studies of the prevalence and incidence of epilepsy worldwide and use meta-analytic techniques to explore factors that may explain heterogeneity between estimates.Methods: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses standards were followed. We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE for articles published on the prevalence or incidence of epilepsy since 1985. Abstract, full-text review, and data abstraction were conducted in duplicate. Meta-analyses and meta-regressions were used to explore the association between prevalence or incidence, age group, sex, country level income, and study quality.Results: A total of 222 studies were included (197 on prevalence, 48 on incidence). The point prevalence of active epilepsy was 6.38 per 1,000 persons (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 5.57-7.30), while the lifetime prevalence was 7.60 per 1,000 persons (95% CI 6.17-9.38). The annual cumulative incidence of epilepsy was 67.77 per 100,000 persons (95% CI 56.69-81.03) while the incidence rate was 61.44 per 100,000 person-years (95% CI 50.75-74.38). The prevalence of epilepsy did not differ by age group, sex, or study quality. The active annual period prevalence, lifetime prevalence, and incidence rate of epilepsy were higher in low to middle income countries. Epilepsies of unknown etiology and those with generalized seizures had the highest prevalence.Conclusions: This study provides a comprehensive synthesis of the prevalence and incidence of epilepsy from published international studies and offers insight into factors that contribute to heterogeneity between estimates. Significant gaps (e.g., lack of incidence studies, stratification by age groups) were identified. Standardized reporting of future epidemiologic studies of epilepsy is needed. Neurology ® 2017;88:296-303 GLOSSARY CI 5 confidence interval.

show abstract

Section: Results Identification and Description Of Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence and incidence of epilepsy

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In a review of 28 door-to-door studies published between 1982 and 2004, a higher prevalence of epilepsy was reported in only two countries [5]. Two studies conducted in Cameroon reported estimates of 70 and 58 per 1000 in 1989 and 2000, respectively, and two studies from Ivory Coast reported estimates of 74 and 59 per 1000 in 1990 and 1995, respectively [5].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Addressing the treatment gap and societal impact of epilepsy in Rwanda — Results of a survey conducted in 2005 and subsequent actions

Sebera

Munyandamutsa

Teuwen

et al. 2015

Epilepsy & Behavior

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This study, supported by the Rwandan Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization, was conducted in 2005 to determine the prevalence of epilepsy and its sociocultural perception in Rwanda, as well as epilepsy-related knowledge and practices of health-care professionals (HCPs). A cross-sectional, nationally representative survey was conducted throughout Rwanda by trained investigators. Participants were recruited by random cluster sampling based on the organization of administrative units in the country. Overall, 1137 individuals (62% from rural areas) were interviewed. The prevalence of epilepsy was estimated to be 49 per 1000 people or 41 per 1000 for active epilepsy. Onset of epilepsy before the age of 2 years was reported in 32% of the cases. Family history of epilepsy, head trauma, and premature delivery were reported in 53%, 50%, and 68% of the cases, respectively. Most (68%) patients did not receive any medical treatment for epilepsy; 21.5% had received some form of traditional treatment. According to responses from the general population, people with epilepsy should not be entitled to schooling (according to 66%), to work (according to 72%), to the use of public places (according to 69%), or to marriage (according to 66%). Furthermore, 50% believed that epilepsy was untreatable, and 40% thought that it was transmissible. Of the 29 HCPs interviewed, the majority knew the definition of epilepsy and status epilepticus, as well as basic treatment options and side effects. However, 90% believed that treatment was only necessary in the first week after a seizure. Living with epilepsy was associated heavily with stigma, and a significant treatment gap (68%) was identified. Following this study, numerous actions have been taken by the Rwandan government, the Rwandan League Against Epilepsy, and several nongovernmental organizations to increase awareness about epilepsy and to close the treatment gap. An overview of these activities is provided.

show abstract

“…This may be seen as indication that in our study area food is a provoking factor with a similar frequency to that reported from Mahenge, Tanzania, where this was mentioned in 9 out of 62 consecutive patients seen in an ambulatory clinic. 22 Four of these patients were reported to have a seizure type with several repeated head nodding movements. The authors explicitly pointed out the resemblance of these seizures with those described in western Uganda, 14 the area of this report, and southern Tanzania.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nodding Syndrome, Western Uganda, 1994

Kaiser¹,

Rubaale²,

Tukesiga³

et al. 2015

The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. Nodding syndrome (NS) is a poorly understood condition, which was delineated in 2008 as a new epilepsy syndrome. So far, confirmed cases of NS have been observed in three circumscribed African areas: southern Tanzania, southern Sudan, and northern Uganda. Case-control studies have provided evidence of an association between NS and infection with Onchocerca volvulus, but the causation of NS is still not fully clarified. We report a case of a 15-year old boy with head nodding seizures and other characteristic features of NS from an onchocerciasis endemic area in western Uganda, with no contiguity to the hitherto known areas. We suggest that the existence of NS should be systematically investigated in other areas.

show abstract

High prevalence of epilepsy in a village in the Littoral Province of Cameroon

Cited by 73 publications

References 32 publications

Prevalence and incidence of epilepsy

Prevalence and incidence of epilepsy

Addressing the treatment gap and societal impact of epilepsy in Rwanda — Results of a survey conducted in 2005 and subsequent actions

Nodding Syndrome, Western Uganda, 1994

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About