بررسي جمعيت شناحتي صرع و برخي جنبه هاي باليني آن در بيماران صرعي بستري شده در بيمارستان ولي عصر (عج) بيرجند (1383 تا 1385)

An epidemiological study of epilepsy and some clinical aspects of hospitalized epileptic patients in Birjand Valli-e-Asr hospital (2004-2006)

Background and Aim: Epilepsy is the second leading cause of CNS morbidity after CVA. Its cause is abnormal synchronous discharge of a group of CNS neurons that cause recurrent seizure. Approximately half to one percent of the world population are affected. Epidemiology of the disease is affected by different factors such as: age pyramid, diet, geographical variations, etc. Hence, studying of the disease is essential and can help to diagnose and treat the patients. This investigation was designed to assess the epidemiology and clinical aspects of epilepsy in Birjand city between 2004 and 2006. Materials and Methods: This analytical and descriptive survey was done on 222 epileptic patients hospitalized in Vali-e-Asr hospital between 2004 and 2006. Data was gathered by means of a questionnaire which was then analyzed by using chi-square, T-test and ANOVA applying SPSS software; and P<0.05 was taken as the significant level. Results: Our findings showed that epilepsy is more prevalent in males (59.5%) than females (40.5 %).The relative frequency of age in epileptic patients was in the order of 10-19 years (36.9%); 20-29 years 23.9 %, and 50-59 year old group (2.7%). The onset of the disease was in the order of 0-9 years (38.7%), 10-19 years (37.4%), and 50-59 year old group (1.4%). With respect to type of epilepsy, generalized and focal seizure accounted for 51.4% and 48.6% of the cases, respectively. The dominant hand was the right hand (77.5%) and the remainders were left-handed. No significant statistical relationships were found between kind of seizure-in one hand-and epilepsy type, age of onset, sex, hand dominancy, familial history and Toddʹs palsy; on the other. Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, high frequencies of the disease, which had unfavorable effects on their lives, belonged to active age-group of the population. Thus, a larger study with more population and for a longer period of time is recommended for a better and more accurate survey of epilepsy in the region.