Epidemiology, causes, and treatment of epilepsy in sub-Saharan Africa

• Published in: Lancet neurology Vol. 13; no. 10; pp. 1029 - 1044
• Main Authors: Ba-Diop, Awa, MSc, Marin, Benoît, MD, Druet-Cabanac, Michel, Prof, Ngoungou, Edgard B, Prof, Newton, Charles R, Prof, Preux, Pierre-Marie, Prof
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2014; Elsevier Limited; Elsevier
• Subjects: Africa South of the Sahara - epidemiology; Age Distribution; Anticonvulsants - therapeutic use; Birth Injuries - complications; Brain Injuries - complications; Central Nervous System Infections - complications; Central Nervous System Infections - epidemiology; Developing countries; Drug Utilization; Epidemiology; Epilepsy; Epilepsy - epidemiology; Epilepsy - etiology; Epilepsy - genetics; Epilepsy - therapy; Fatalities; HIV; Human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; Incidence; LDCs; Life Sciences; Malnutrition - complications; Methods; Mortality; Multivariate analysis; Neurology; Population; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Santé publique et épidémiologie; Seizures - physiopathology; Seizures, Febrile - epidemiology; Sex Distribution; Socioeconomic Factors; Studies; Africa South of the Sahara
• ISSN: 1474-4422; 1474-4465
• DOI: 10.1016/S1474-4422(14)70114-0

Summary 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.