Epidemiology of dystonia, chorea, and athetosis in Al Quseir City (Red Sea Governorate), Egypt

Abstract

Background: Movement disorders are common neurological problems, but epidemiological studies are lacking in our locality. Type of movement disorder depends on the site of the lesion and the type of pathologic changes. Objective: To estimate the prevalence rate of dystonia, chorea, and athetosis, in Al Quseir City (Red Sea Governorate), Egypt.Methods: This study is a part of a door to door survey of major neurological disorders that was conducted in Al Quseir City, Red Sea Governorate, Egypt, on a sample size of 33,285 subjects. They were screened through 3 neurologists and 15 social workers. Then, each of the three staff members of neurology subjected positive cases to meticulous clinical evaluation separately. Results: Thirteen cases with dystonia, 7 cases with chorea and 5 cases with athetosis were found with prevalence rates of 39/100,000, 21/100,000, and 15/100,000 respectively. Conclusion: Prevalence rates of dystonia, chorea, and athetosis in Al Quseir City are higher than those of the worldwide. This may be attributed to some specific environmental factors of this locality.

The Prevalence of Idiopathic or Inherited Isolated Dystonia: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

“…Only two studies implemented a door‐to‐door detection method to estimate incidence or prevalence, graded with 5 and 3 points of 8 9,10 . One study used a probability sampling method and was graded with 5 points 11 .…”

“…Only two studies implemented a door-to-door detection method to estimate incidence or prevalence, graded with 5 and 3 points of 8. 9,10 One study used a probability sampling method and was graded with 5 points. 11 The remaining studies used health service-based methodology and received grades between 2 and 4 points.…”

“…Nine studies reported the prevalence of all subtypes of idiopathic or inherited isolated dystonia 9,15,[20][21][22][23][24][25][26] with a combined prevalence of 30.85 cases per 100,000 (95% CI = 5.06-187.74; I 2 = 0%; Q = 3.1) (Table 2). All studies reported a greater number of prevalent cases in women relative to men.…”

Global Epidemiology of Movement Disorders: Rare or Underdiagnosed?

“…Rheumatic chorea was the second most common cause of secondary chorea in Egypt, Tunisia, Brazil, and Turkey. 131,[133][134][135] Notably, lower prevalence statistics were noted for later studies, with fewer individuals living with secondary chorea due to cerebral palsy or rheumatic fever than in earlier studies. The decrease in prevalence is thought likely due to advances in perinatal care and antimicrobial therapies within these populations.…”

“…Higher prevalence was noted within rural populations within the same region, where there was poorer access to perinatal and medical care in general. 131…”