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Garrez I, Teuwen DE, Sebera F, Kayirangwa J, Düll UE, Dedeken P, Boon PAJM. Converging evidence on the high prevalence of epilepsy in Rwanda: Response to the commentary 'High prevalence of epilepsy in Southern and Northern Rwanda: Myth or reality?'. Trop Med Int Health 2024; 29:844-847. [PMID: 39044349 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.14039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Ieme Garrez
- Department of Neurology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- 4Brain, Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dirk E Teuwen
- Department of Neurology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- 4Brain, Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Fidèle Sebera
- Department of Neurology, Ndera Neuro-Psychiatric Teaching Hospital, Kigali, Rwanda
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Center - Kigali, Kigali, Rwanda
| | | | - Uta E Düll
- Medicalised Health Center, Gikonko, Rwanda
| | - Peter Dedeken
- Department of Neurology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Neurology, Heilig Hart Ziekenhuis, Lier, Belgium
| | - Paul A J M Boon
- Department of Neurology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- 4Brain, Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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Angwafor SA, Watila MM, Njamnshi AK, Sander JW. High prevalence of epilepsy in Southern and Northern Rwanda: Myth or reality? Trop Med Int Health 2024; 29:842-843. [PMID: 38943256 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.14027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- S A Angwafor
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Bamenda, Bamenda, Cameroon
- Department of Neurology, Bamenda Regional Hospital, Bamenda, Cameroon
- Brain Research Africa Initiative (BRAIN), Yaoundé, Cameroon
- Brain Research Africa Initiative (BRAIN), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - M M Watila
- Department of Neurology, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Foresterhill Health Campus, Aberdeen, UK
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, WC1N 3BG & Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, Chalfont St Peter, UK
| | - A K Njamnshi
- Brain Research Africa Initiative (BRAIN), Yaoundé, Cameroon
- Brain Research Africa Initiative (BRAIN), Geneva, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Lab, Faculty of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, The University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
- Department of Neurology, Yaoundé Central Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - J W Sander
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, WC1N 3BG & Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, Chalfont St Peter, UK
- Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland (SEIN), Heemstede, The Netherlands
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Garrez I, Teuwen DE, Sebera F, Mutungirehe S, Ndayisenga A, Kajeneza D, Umuhoza G, Kayirangwa J, Düll UE, Dedeken P, Boon PAJM. Very high epilepsy prevalence in rural Southern Rwanda: The underestimated burden of epilepsy in sub-Saharan Africa. Trop Med Int Health 2024; 29:214-225. [PMID: 38124297 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.13963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Up to 85% of people living with epilepsy (PwE) reside in low-and middle-income countries. In sub-Saharan Africa, the lifetime prevalence of epilepsy is 16 per 1000 persons. In Northern rural Rwanda, a 47.7 per 1000 prevalence has been reported. As variations in prevalence across geographical areas have been observed, we studied the prevalence in Southern rural Rwanda using the same robust methodology as applied in the North. METHODS We conducted a three-stage, cross-sectional, door-to-door survey in two rural villages in Southern Rwanda from June 2022 to April 2023. First, trained enumerators administered the validated Limoges questionnaire for epilepsy screening. Second, neurologists examined the persons who had screened positively to confirm the epilepsy diagnosis. Third, cases with an inconclusive assessment were separately reexamined by two neurologists to reevaluate the diagnosis. RESULTS Enumerators screened 1745 persons (54.4% female, mean age: 24 ± 19.3 years), of whom 304 (17.4%) screened positive. Epilepsy diagnosis was confirmed in 133 (52.6% female, mean age: 30 ± 18.2 years) and active epilepsy in 130 persons. Lifetime epilepsy prevalence was 76.2 per 1000 (95% CI: 64.2-89.7‰). The highest age-specific rate occurred in the 29-49 age group. No gender-specific differences were noted. In 22.6% of the PwE, only non-convulsive seizures occurred. The treatment gap was 92.2%, including a diagnosis gap of 79.4%. CONCLUSION We demonstrated a very high epilepsy prevalence in Southern rural Rwanda, with over 20% of cases having only non-convulsive seizures, which are often underdiagnosed in rural Africa. In line with previous Rwandan reports, we reiterate the high burden of the disease in the country. Geographic variation in prevalence throughout Africa may result from differences in risk and aetiological factors. Case-control studies are underway to understand such differences and propose adapted health policies for epilepsy prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ieme Garrez
- Department of Neurology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dirk E Teuwen
- Department of Neurology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Fidèle Sebera
- Department of Neurology, Ndera Neuro-Psychiatric Teaching Hospital, Kigali, Rwanda
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Kigali, Kigali, Rwanda
| | | | | | | | - Georgette Umuhoza
- Department of Neurology, Ndera Neuro-Psychiatric Teaching Hospital, Kigali, Rwanda
| | | | - Uta E Düll
- Medicalized Health Center, Gikonko, Rwanda
| | - Peter Dedeken
- Department of Neurology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Heilig Hart Ziekenhuis, Lier, Belgium
| | - Paul A J M Boon
- Department of Neurology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
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Gangemi A, Picciotto G, Mento C, Cardile S, Fabio RA. Neurophysiological and neuropsychological parameters in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY. ADULT 2023:1-7. [PMID: 38147434 DOI: 10.1080/23279095.2023.2297296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most common type of localization-related epilepsy (LRE) and has been extensively studied in the field of neuropsychology due to its significant association with cognitive impairments. Cognitive decline has long been recognized as a consequence of this form of epilepsy, with previous studies primarily focusing on neurophysiological measures. In this study, both neurophysiological and neuropsychological factors were analyzed in TLE patients compared to healthy control subjects. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) tests were used to assess neuropsychological processes, while cognitive event-related potential (ERPs), particularly P300, were employed to analyze neurophysiological parameters. The study involved 21 TLE patients (mean age = 61.43) and 21 healthy control subjects. The results revealing that TLE patients scored significantly lower, indicating deficits in specific cognitive areas. The study also observed abnormalities in the ERPs, particularly in the assessment of P300 amplitude and latency, that may be indicative of underlying neural dysfunction related to attention and cognitive processing. In conclusion, the study provides compelling evidence of the association between TLE and a high incidence of cognitive deficits and decline. By considering both neurophysiological and neuropsychological factors, the study sheds light on the comprehensive impact of TLE on various cognitive domains and emphasizes the importance of early identification and management of cognitive impairments in TLE patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giulia Picciotto
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina
| | - Carmela Mento
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and of Morphological and Functional images, university of Messina, Sicily, Italy
| | - Silvia Cardile
- Department of Economics, University of Messina, Sicily, Italy
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Amoudi M, Nairat Q, Shawahna R. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of physiotherapists with regard to epilepsy and patients with epilepsy: A systematic scoping review. Epilepsy Behav 2021; 124:108367. [PMID: 34717245 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.108367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In today's healthcare systems, physiotherapists are one of the most important providers of care services to patients with disabilities including those with epilepsy. The aims of this systematic scoping review were to identify, summarize, and present narrative synthesis of qualitative evidence on knowledge, attitudes, and practices of physiotherapists toward epilepsy and patients with epilepsy. METHODS Primary studies were searched in Medline/PubMed, Embase, Science Direct, SpringerLink, CInAHL/EBSCO, Cochrane library, and Scopus as late as July 02, 2021. Appraisal of the methodological quality was conducted for the studies included in this systematic scoping review. Due to the heterogenous nature of the collected data, results of this study are presented as narrative synthesis. RESULTS A total of 11 were finally included in the qualitative synthesis. The selected studies were published in the period between 2016 and 2020. The studies included in this review had acceptable methodological quality in many of the 11 domains of the quality assessment tool. Contents of the included studies were grouped into the 11 themes and 8 subthemes. The major themes were related education/access to information, interaction with patients, witnessing seizures, barriers and promoters of adequate knowledge and attitudes, and interventions to improve knowledge and attitudes. CONCLUSION Currently, high-quality interventional studies are needed to improve knowledge, attitudes, and practices of physiotherapists with regard to epilepsy and patients with epilepsy. Future studies are still needed to investigate if improving knowledge, attitudes, and practices of physiotherapists with regard to epilepsy and patients with epilepsy can improve health-related outcomes of the patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mosab Amoudi
- Health Sciences Department, Arab American University, Palestine
| | - Qais Nairat
- Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Teachers' Training, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
| | - Ramzi Shawahna
- Department of Physiology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine; An-Najah BioSciences Unit, Centre for Poisons Control, Chemical and Biological Analyses, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine.
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