[Study of neurological diseases prevalence in Aratoca, a rural area of eastern Colombia].
BACKGROUND
Current health statistics on the prevalence of neurological diseases, in Colombia, are still lacking.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of migraine, cerebrovascular disease, movement disorders, peripheral neuropathies, mental retardation and developmental disorders, epilepsy, dementia and sequels of cranial trauma in a rural population of Colombia.


METHODS
We evaluated 544 subjects in Aratoca, a rural place of Santander, placed at 400 kilometers from Bogota. The world health organization (WHO) protocol for neuroepidemiological studies modified by our group, a survey to determine sequels of cranial trauma and the mini mental state examination were used as instruments. People 12 years-old or more and suspected to have a neurological disease was evaluated by adult neurologists and those less than 12 years-old were evaluated by a neuropediatrician.


RESULTS
223 out of 544 subjects surveyed were evaluated by the clinicians of which 135 had a neurological disorder. The prevalence of neurological diseases, per thousand inhabitants were as follows: migraine 189.3; epilepsy 33; febrile seizures 25.6; peripheral neuropathy 22.1; mental retardation 18.4; developmental and language disorders 11; dementia 10.5; cerebrovascular disease 4.7; and movement disorders 3.7.


CONCLUSIONS
These results will allow to define appropriate control measures, as well as to prevent and treat these prevalent neurological disorders in rural places of Colombia as Aratoca and the like.
Pradilla Ardila
Gustavo
G
Departamento de Medicina Interna & Ciencias Básicas, Facultad de Salud UIS-Universidad Industrial de Santander, Instituto de Investigaciones-Fundación Cardiovascular del Oriente Colombiano.
Vesga Angarita
Boris Eduardo
BE
León-Sarmiento
Fidias Eugenio
FE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003105:Colombia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*