title: Prevalence of active epilepsy in Kerman, Iran: a house based survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Epilepsy is considered to be among the most prevalent neurological disorders and one of most important health issues. It costs huge expenses for health system, and influences the individual and social quality of life of the patients. Despite its importance, the studies conducted in Iran to determine the prevalence of epilepsy are limited. The present study evaluated the Prevalence of active epilepsy in Kerman.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present cross sectional study was carried out on 2919 individuals from different neighborhoods of Kerman in two stages, first stage was screening process by trained questioners, and the second one was the confirmation of definite diagnosis. Cases of Inactive epilepsy were eliminated from the study. Questionnaires containing demographic information and paraclinical analyses were filled out for each individual. Also 628 epileptic patients in Kerman, who had referred to a referral center, were analyzed concerning epilepsy subtypes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From 126 suspicious individuals, 23 subjects were diagnosed to be epileptic. Point prevalence of active epilepsy was 7.87/1000 individuals. It was equal in both sexes, with a significant increase in individuals having low education (P= 0.029). The generalized epilepsy had a higher frequency. Of the patients, 56.6% suffered from psychiatric diseases. Electroencephalography (EEG) in 13 patients (56.5%) showed epileptic waves. Family history of seizure was positive in 17.3% of the patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Point prevalence of active epilepsy is 7.87/1000 in Kerman, as same as developing countries. The prevalence was significantly higher in individuals with lower education.
authors.affiliation: Neurology Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors.forename: Hosseinali
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ebrahimi
authors.forename: Mohammadalin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shafa
authors.forename: Saeed
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hakimzadeh Asl
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018672:Community Health Planning; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult