Citation

Ba-Diop A, Marin B, Druet-Cabanac M, Ngoungou EB, Newton CR, Preux PM. Lancet Neurol. 2014; 13(10): 1029-1044.

Affiliation

INSERM UMR1094, Tropical Neuroepidemiology, and Institute of Neuroepidemiology and Tropical Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Limoges, Limoges, France; CEBIMER: Center of Epidemiology, Biostatitics, and Research Methodology, CHU Limoges, France. Electronic address: pierre-marie.preux@unilim.fr.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/S1474-4422(14)70114-0

PMID

25231525

Abstract

Epilepsy is a common neurological disease in tropical countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Previous work on epilepsy in sub-Saharan Africa has shown that many cases are severe, partly a result of some specific causes, that it carries a stigma, and that it is not adequately treated in many cases. Many studies on the epidemiology, aetiology, and management of epilepsy in sub-Saharan Africa have been reported in the past 10 years. The prevalence estimated from door-to-door studies is almost double that in Asia, Europe, and North America. The most commonly implicated risk factors are birth trauma, CNS infections, and traumatic brain injury. About 60% of patients with epilepsy receive no antiepileptic treatment, largely for economic and social reasons. Further epidemiological studies should be a priority to improve understanding of possible risk factors and thereby the prevention of epilepsy in Africa, and action should be taken to improve access to treatment.

Language: en