Prevalence and Clinical Features of Epilepsy in Argentina

Abstract

Objective: To ascertain the prevalence of epilepsy in Junín, a town of 70,000–80,000 inhabitants from the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Background: Some South American communities have reported extremely high prevalences of epilepsy. We investigated whether Junín would also have a high prevalence.Design/Methods: Systematic sampling was used to select 5,839 households (sampling fraction = 25%). Participating households amounted to 5,648 (97%), with 17,049 persons. A two-phase case-finding strategy was used. Phase 1 was the screening of the 17,049 persons, which was performed by trained but medically unsophisticated interviewers. Phase 2 was the neurological evaluation of the 250 persons who were screened positive for epilepsy. Diagnoses were based on defined diagnostic criteria. Results: As of January 1, 1991 (prevalence day), 106 persons had epilepsy, including 64 (60%) with active epilepsy. Among these, 9 (14%) were epilepsy cases newly diagnosed by survey neurologists, and 50 (78%) were on antiepileptic treatment at the time of the survey. Regarding the same 64 persons, seizures were generalized in 37 (58%) and partial in 24 (38%). Lifetime prevalence of epilepsy was 6.2/1,000 (6.3/1,000, age adjusted to the world standard population). Total point prevalence for active epilepsy was 3.8/1,000 (4.0 for females and 3.5 for males). In addition, prevalence peaked at the ages of 40–59 for females and 0–4 for males. Conclusions: This is one of the first community-based studies of epilepsy in Argentina, and the prevalence results provide new epidemiological data contributing to our understanding of the different prevalence rates found in Latin America.

A comprehensive review of the literature on epilepsy in selected countries in emerging markets

“…For example, three studies discussed the prevalence of epilepsy in Argentina. In the primary school children population, the lifetime and active prevalence rates were determined to be 3.2/1000 and 2.6/1000, respectively in one report, while lifetime and active prevalence was estimated to be 6.2/1000 and 3.8/1000 in another 8,9. Another examination found a lifetime prevalence of 71.9/1000 and an active prevalence of 64.8/1000 in the special schools of Buenos Aires that contain student populations with physical or mental disorders and learning problems 10…”

“…In general, prevalence rates per 1000 individuals varied widely in this review. In Argentina and China, rates ranged from 2.6–3.8 and 1.5–4.5 respectively 8,9,13,15. In India, prevalence was reported to be 2.3 and in Turkey, rates ranged from 0.08 to 8.5 individuals 18,20,22.…”

The descriptive epidemiology of epilepsy—A review

“…In Central and South America, the overall age-adjusted prevalence ranged from 3.7 per 1000 in Argentina (Melcon et al, 2007) to 22.2 per 1000 in Ecuador (Cruz et al, 1985). The study performed by Cruz et al was conducted among a population with a high prevalence of endemic goiter.…”

Pregnant Women with Epilepsy in a Developing Country

“…Epilepsy is the most common serious neurological disorder and is one of the world’s most prevalent non-transmissible diseases [1, 2]. Over four-fifths of the 50 million people diagnosed with epilepsy live in developing countries.…”