A Study on the Prevalance of Epilepsy in the Provincial Center of Erzurum

Abstract

Objective: Epilepsy is an important healthcare problem that occurs in every society across the world regardless of any difference in sex, age and ethnicity. Epidemiologic studies are important for providing a common ground and determining the factors associated with the disease. The objective of our study was to determine the prevalence of epilepsy for the population aged 15 years and over in the provincial center of Erzurum.

Materials and Methods: A questionnaire on epilepsy and a socio-demographic data form were administered to each patient by four assistant physicians who made door-to-door visits. The prevalence rate, distribution by age and sex, grading, treatment and familial characteristics of the disease were studied. We evaluated 4093 subjects aged 15 years and over.

Results: Of these subjects, 2046 (50%) were female, and 2047 (50%) were male. We identified 22 patients with active epilepsy with a point prevalence of 5/1000 (4/1000 in female and 6/1000 in male patients). Fifty percent of patients had partial-onset seizures, and 50% had generalized-onset seizures. The possible etiology was identified in 50% of patients. The most common identifiable etiology was cranial trauma and developmental brain malformation. Of these 22 patients, 20 (91%) were on antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), 75% on a single AED, and 25% on multiple AEDs.

Conclusion: In the present study, the prevalence of active epilepsy and other characteristics were similar to those found in developed countries and studies in Turkey. The results can be attributed to careful use of International League Against Epilepsy guidelines and to the urban cohort.