Two-year remission in Nigerian epileptics.
Seizure profile of 208 male and 137 female Nigerian epileptic patients was studied. The mean age at onset was 21 years and partial seizures predominated at 53.3%. One hundred and forty eight out of the 255 patients (58%) followed up for more than two years attended clinics regularly and 107 defaulted. Only 88 patients (25.5%) were compliant with therapy. Factors associated with two-year seizure remission were: drug compliance (OR = 4.4; 95% CI: 2.0, 9.5) and less than six attacks before therapy commencement (OR = 2.3; 95% CI: 1.1, 4.7). The study revealed high clinic default rate and low therapy compliance as major problems in management of epileptic patients. Health education to improve these and early institution of therapy appear necessary to reduce the proportion of patients that could become chronic epileptics.
Ogunniyi
A
A
Department of Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Oluwole
O S
OS
Osuntokun
B O
BO
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012074:Remission Induction; D012307:Risk Factors
D000927:Anticonvulsants