Clinical features of 165 epileptic patients in HUCFF-UFRJ

CLINICAL FEATURES OF 165 EPILEPTIC PATIENTS IN HUCFF-UFRJ (ABSTRACT).^* DISSERTATION. RIO DE JANEIRO, 1999.

LUCIANO DE ABREU LIMA PAMPLONA ^**

Background. Epilepsy is the second most prevalent neurologic disease in the world, affecting over 40 million people. A study based on our epileptic patients is fundamental for improving the anti-epileptic care. A protocol, created by Liga Brasileira de Epilepsia-RJ was used, as part of a multicentric study.

Method. Individuals with epilepsy, first unprovoked seizure or acute symptomatic seizure examined in our hospital from July 1992 to June 1993 were included in this study. Data were analyzed with Epi Info, V. 6.04.

Results. From 215 interviews with 203 patients, 165 were included. They were relatively young (average age of 32.1 years, 6 to 79 years; ± 15,90), with a slightly male predominance (54.5%), and low-grade education. Sixty six percent had the first seizure before the age of 25, and the illness had a mean duration of 12 years. The primary generalized seizures are the commonest (53.2%), and there are similar amounts of idiopathic and symptomatic cases. Our major cause for symptomatic seizure was neuroinfection (12.4%). The majority (64.8%) of the seizures was treated with monotherapy, most frequently phenobarbital or carbamazepine. Occurrence of side effects was low (18.1%), and total control was achieved in 66.7% of the patients; 29.9% had partial control and 3,5% had no control. EEG was abnormal in 49% of cases and CT in 49,4%.

Conclusions. The epileptic outpatients at HUCFF-UFRJ are similar in many ways to those from other developing countries (clinical, demographic and etiologic aspects), and in other ways are like outpatients in developed countries (use of monotherapy and control achieved). They may benefit from medical-scientific progress.

KEY WORDS: epilepsy, epidemiological profiles, health care.

**Address: Rua Conde de Bonfim, 897/101/Bloco B, 20530-000 Rio de Janeiro RJ, Brasil. E-mail: [e-mail]

*

Características clínicas de 165 pacientes epilépticos do HUCFF-UFRJ (Resumo). Dissertação de Mestrado, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (Área: Clínica Médica - Setor: Neurologia). Orientador: James Pitágoras de Mattos.

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  05 Oct 2001
• Date of issue
  Sept 2001