Mehmet Canpolat1, Sefer Kumandas1, Hatice Gamze Poyrazoglu1, Hakan Gumus1, Ferhan Elmali2, Huseyin Per3. 1. Erciyes University Medical School, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Talas, Kayseri, Turkey. 2. Erciyes University Medical School, Department of Biostatistics, Talas, Kayseri, Turkey. 3. Erciyes University Medical School, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Talas, Kayseri, Turkey. Electronic address: huseyinper@yahoo.com.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence of epilepsy in schoolchildren aged 7-17 in the province of Kayseri together with the accompanying risk factors. METHODS: Ten thousand individuals selected using the "stratified cluster sampling method" from a total population of 259,428 students within the borders of Kayseri city center constituted the study sample. A questionnaire was prepared in line with the epidemiological studies protocol recommended by the International Epilepsy Union Epidemiology and Prognosis Committee in 1993. Data were analyzed on IBM SPSS Statistics 20. Significance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: Of the 15,000 questionnaires distributed, 72% (n=10,742) were returned fully completed. Eighty-three students had been or were still being monitored with a diagnosis of epilepsy. The raw prevalence of epilepsy was 6/1000 in females, 9/1000 in males and 8/1000 in both groups together. Prevalence of active epilepsy was 4/1000 in females, 7/1000 in males and 6/1000 in both groups together. Premature birth increased the risk of epilepsy 2.6 times, and average and poor family income levels increased the risk of epilepsy 3.3 and 1.6 times, respectively. A history of febrile convulsion increased the risk of epilepsy 15.1 times. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of epilepsy in the 7-17 age group in Kayseri is closer to that in developed rather than developing countries. We conclude that the risk factors for epilepsy, and particularly febrile convulsion, and the true prevalence rates need to be determined through studies involving wide socioeconomic strata.
PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence of epilepsy in schoolchildren aged 7-17 in the province of Kayseri together with the accompanying risk factors. METHODS: Ten thousand individuals selected using the "stratified cluster sampling method" from a total population of 259,428 students within the borders of Kayseri city center constituted the study sample. A questionnaire was prepared in line with the epidemiological studies protocol recommended by the International Epilepsy Union Epidemiology and Prognosis Committee in 1993. Data were analyzed on IBM SPSS Statistics 20. Significance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: Of the 15,000 questionnaires distributed, 72% (n=10,742) were returned fully completed. Eighty-three students had been or were still being monitored with a diagnosis of epilepsy. The raw prevalence of epilepsy was 6/1000 in females, 9/1000 in males and 8/1000 in both groups together. Prevalence of active epilepsy was 4/1000 in females, 7/1000 in males and 6/1000 in both groups together. Premature birth increased the risk of epilepsy 2.6 times, and average and poor family income levels increased the risk of epilepsy 3.3 and 1.6 times, respectively. A history of febrile convulsion increased the risk of epilepsy 15.1 times. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of epilepsy in the 7-17 age group in Kayseri is closer to that in developed rather than developing countries. We conclude that the risk factors for epilepsy, and particularly febrile convulsion, and the true prevalence rates need to be determined through studies involving wide socioeconomic strata.
Authors: Nurettin Karacan; Mustafa Çalik; Halil Kazanasmaz; Özlem Ethemoğlu; Ahmet Güzelçiçek; Sedat Yaşin; Hasan Kandemir; Emre Çeçen Journal: Ann Indian Acad Neurol Date: 2020-06-29 Impact factor: 1.383