Afri. J. Neuro. Sci. Vol. 16 No. 2 July 1997
THE FEATURES OF EPILEPSY IN THE MALAGASY. A HOSPITAL
STUDY ON 213 CASES FROM THE NORTH WESTERN PART OF MADAGASCAR
Andriantseheno L.M., Andrianasy T.F.
Code Number:NS97007
A retrospective study on 213 files of
epileptic patients issued from a sample of 741 referrals to the
University Hospital of Majunga, Neuropsychiatry Unit, between June
1, 1993 December, 31, 1995 was reported.
Mahajanga, the chief-town of the Province is a
hot and dry region where malaria, shistosomiasis, tuberculosis and
syphilis are endemic. As in the majority of tropical series, the
most involved agegroup was between 10 and 30 years; partial
seizures had a higher rate compared to the generalized forms (52%
vs 46%). The most prominent risk factors were linked to parasitosis
(neurocysticercosis), to defective obstetrical cares (perinatal
injuries) and infatile conditions (febrile convulsions). The lack
of neurodiagnosis facilities (EEG, EMG, brain imaging) restrains
notably the aetiological researches. In Madagascar, the compliance
to a long lasting and expensive treatment set a problem (due to the
indigence of the population, and a bad distribution of
antiepileptic drugs).
RESUME
Une etude retrospective des dossiers de 213
epiletiques tires d'une population de 741 malades admis au niveau
d'un service de Neuropsychiatrie de Mahajanga (du 01.06.93 au
31.12.95) a ete rapportee. Cette ville, chef-lieu de la province du
meme nom a un climat et sec ou le paludisme, la bilharziose, la
tuberculose et la syphilis sont endemiques. Comme dans la plupart
des series tropicales, la tranche d'age la plus atteint est celle
comprise entre 10 et 30 ans; les crises partielles predominent sur
les formes g6neralisees (52% vs 46%). Les facteurs de risque les
plus importants sont d'origine parasitaire (neurocysticercose) ou
lies aux conditions obstetricales (souffrances perinatales) et
pediatriques precaires (convulsions febriles).
Copyright 1997 Pan African Association of Neurological Sciences
