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DOI: DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21088/ijnns.0975.0223.10218.4

Abstract

Introduction: The incidence of epilepsy in the continent has not been changed much for the past few decades and Asia contains more than half of the world‘s epileptic patients with an estimated 8 10 million in India alone. Data also states that only half of them are under medical treatment. Despite innumerable studies presented over the years the acknowledgment and understanding of the overall prevalence is not entirely understood. Regional studies help us to understand the distribution in the specific population.

Aim: To study on the demographic distribution of epilepsy in a tertiary referral hospital.

Materials and Methods: With the institutional ethical committee authorization this study was done in a tertiary referral hospital to understand the demographic configurations for a period of a year based on preformed questionnaire in 100 patients consulting in the epilepsy clinic.

Observation and Results: 100 patients were interviewed based on the questionnaire and the data was studied. Men were more than women. Majority of the patients were between 11 and 30 yrs of age (51 out of 100). Etiology in most of the patients was unknown etiology (45 out of 100) which was followed by symptomatic epilepsy (41/100) including Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, CNS infection, Metabolic encephalopathy, Septic, vascular (CVT, acute hemorrhagic stroke), Alcoholic and Mesial Temporal Sclerosis etc. Idiopathic epileptic syndrome was present in 10 patients and cryptogenic being the least with four. Generalized tonic clonic seizure (GTCS) was seen in 43% followed by complex partial (34%), Myoclonic (10%), Absence (8%), Simple partial (5%) in that order. Treatment gap was seen in 19 out of 100 patients.Most of the patients 56/ 100 were unemployed and 80/100 had primary, secondary or university education.

Conclusion: Epilepsy is identifiable and can be controlled with regular treatment and follow up. Early identification, prompt diagnosis and treatment, reduction in treatment gap and social support can help the patients to progress in many ways such as education, employment and better living.

Keywords: Epilepsy in India; Idiopathic Epilepsy; Idiopathic Epileptic Syndrome; Symptomatic Epilepsy; Cryptogenic; Treatment Gap.

Corresponding Author : R. Kalpana, Assistant Professor of Neurology, SRM Medical College Hospital & Research Centre, SRM Nagar, Kattankulathur, Kancheepuram District, Tamil Nadu 603203, India.