title: Seizure disorder among chronic kidney disease patients in Enugu, South East Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Seizures are the commonest neurological condition presenting in Africa. The pattern of non- epileptic seizures in systemic diseases including chronic kidney disease is unknown in South East Nigeria.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study examined the pattern of seizures in chronic kidney disease patients in Enugu, South East Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a retrospective study of chronic kidney disease patients who presented to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu (UNTH) from January 2007 December 2008. Data from subjects who satisfied the inclusion criteria were reviewed and analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 13.5. Ethical clearance was obtained from the UNTH Ethics Committee.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 145 patients, 95 males and 50 females. Mean age was 35 years. Only 5 patients (3,4%) had seizures (mostly generalized tonic-clonic) associated with severe hypertension. None had hypocalcaemia. Three patients (60%) received dialysis with benefit while 2 patients (40%) died before dialysis could be done.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Seizures are infrequent in chronic kidney disease patients in Enugu; are commoner in males and those with severe disease. Dialysis improved survival in those with seizures. Larger multicentre studies are needed to further elucidate the spectrum of Nigeria.
authors.affiliation: Renal Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, UNTH, Ituku Ozalla, Enugu.
authors.forename: O D
authors.initials: OD
authors.lastname: Onodugo
authors.forename: I O
authors.initials: IO
authors.lastname: Onwuekwe
authors.forename: E B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Arodiwe
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Ijoma
authors.forename: I I
authors.initials: II
authors.lastname: Ulasi
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Ubani-Ukoma
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015897:Comorbidity; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications*; D004830:Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria