Epidemiology of epilepsy in rural Benin: Prevalence, incidence, mortality, and follow‐up. (25th January 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Houinato, Dismand; Yemadje, Luce‐Perrine; Glitho, Ghislaine; Adjien, Constant; Avode, Gilbert; Druet‐Cabanac, Michel; Preux, Pierre‐Marie
• Is Part Of: Epilepsia. Volume 54:issue 4(2013:Apr.)
• Page Start: 757
• Page End: 763
• Publication Date: 2013-01-25
• Subjects: Epilepsy -- Periodicals; 616.853
• DOI: 10.1111/epi.12082
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-9580

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="epi12082-abs-0001"> <title>Summary</title> <sec id="epi12082-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Purpose</title> <p>Epilepsy is a major clinical and social issue in Africa. This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence, incidence, mortality, and therapeutic outcome in rural Djidja in Benin.</p> </sec> <sec id="epi12082-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>This was a two‐phase study with a cross‐sectional phase and 18 months of follow‐up. In the first phase, information was obtained using door‐to‐door surveys, reports from key informants, and medical sources. People were interviewed using a validated screening questionnaire for epilepsy in tropical regions. The diagnosis of epilepsy was confirmed by a neurologist. We used a capture–recapture method to estimate the number of people with epilepsy (PWE). PWE were followed every month for 18 months after the cross‐sectional survey. We asked the health services, the general population, and village leaders in the study area to identify suspected cases of epilepsy occurring during the follow‐up. New cases were updated every month after confirmation. Antiepileptic drugs were prescribed to PWE.</p> </sec> <sec id="epi12082-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Key Findings</title> <p>We surveyed 11, 668 subjects (male‐to‐female ratio 0.9) and identified 123 PWE, yielding a prevalence of 10.5 per 1, 000 (95% confidence interval (CI) 8.8–12.6/1, 000). Combining the three sources, we found 148 PWE and a prevalence of 12.7 per 1, 000 (95% CI 10.7–14.9/1, 000). After application of the capture–recapture method, the prevalence was estimated to be as high as 38.4 per 1, 000 (95% CI 34.9–41.9/1, 000). The cumulative incidence was 104.2 per 100, 000 and the mean annual incidence was 69.4 per 100, 000. The mean annual mortality was 20.8 per 1, 000. After treatment, 45% of PWE had total seizure remission and 35% had a decrease in the number of seizures.</p> </sec> <sec id="epi12082-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Significance</title> <p>This study shows that door‐to‐door survey findings could be improved by using information from other sources. The follow‐up suggests that epilepsy could be controlled. Continuous drug delivery and regular follow‐up are key.</p> </sec> </abstract>