Koba Bora Béatrice, Lez Didier Malamba, Luwa Daniel Okitundu, Baguma Marcellin Bugeme, Katumbay Désiré Tshala, Kalula Tharcisse Kayembe, Mesu'a Kabwa Pierre Luabeya
Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo ; Centre Neuro-Psychiatrique Joseph Guislain, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Pan Afr Med J. 2015 Aug 26;21:303. doi: 10.11604/pamj.2015.21.303.5580. eCollection 2015.
Epilepsy is the most common of serious neurological disorders, yet despite considerable efforts, good access to medication, appropriate social and societal acceptance and acceptable quality of life (QoL) are difficult to achieve especially in developing countries. It is estimated that over 500,000 people suffer from epilepsy in the DRC. There is no report, in our knowledge on the epilepsy in Lubumbashi.
A descriptive study was undertaken in individuals with a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy who presented at the CNPJG outpatient clinic in Lubumbashi over a 12 months period. A 64-item questionnaire was used to collect information from the patients. Case records were reviewed and relevant demographic, social, professional, medical history, medical condition data were extracted.
Among 3,540 patients who presented to a neuropsychiatric clinic run by the Fracarita charity over a 1-year period, 423 (11.9%) were identified as having epilepsy, and 179 were subsequently included in the survey after they (or their parent/guardian) provided informed consent and completed an EEG investigation. Data were collected using a standardized, 64-item questionnaire. Epilepsy had negative impact on the lives of individuals with the condition; 40.8% had either no education or had completed primary education only, 38.0% were unemployed and the majority (64.6%; n = 113) were unmarried or divorced. Family history of epilepsy (first or second degree) was present in 23.5% of cases. Other reported factors that could potentially precipitate epilepsy included obstetric and perinatal factors (15.1%) and central nervous system infections during infancy (8.4%). Consumption of alcohol or recreational drugs accounted for 10.6%. The treatment gap was above 67% and the delay between first seizure and first consultation was 15 months. When asked to describe their condition, or its cause, 55.3% of participants (or their families) considered epilepsy to be of spiritual/ religious origin, while 25.1% had almost no insight and could not provide any description.
This first epidemiological study shows a high prevalence of epilepsy among patients presenting to the clinic in Lubumbashi, DRC, and reveals a significant treatment gap.
癫痫是最常见的严重神经系统疾病，然而，尽管付出了巨大努力，但尤其是在发展中国家，仍难以实现良好的药物可及性、适当的社会和社会接纳以及可接受的生活质量（QoL）。据估计，刚果民主共和国有超过50万人患有癫痫。就我们所知，尚无关于卢本巴希癫痫情况的报告。
对在卢本巴希的CNPJG门诊就诊、临床诊断为癫痫的患者进行了为期12个月的描述性研究。使用一份包含64个条目的问卷从患者那里收集信息。查阅病例记录并提取相关的人口统计学、社会、职业、病史、病情数据。
在为期1年向由Fracarita慈善机构运营的神经精神科诊所就诊的3540名患者中，423人（11.9%）被确诊患有癫痫，其中179人在他们（或其父母/监护人）提供知情同意并完成脑电图检查后被纳入调查。使用一份标准化的、包含64个条目的问卷收集数据。癫痫对患者的生活产生了负面影响；40.8%的人未接受过教育或仅完成了小学教育，38.0%的人失业，大多数（64.6%；n = 113）未婚或离异。23.5%的病例有癫痫家族史（一级或二级亲属）。其他报告的可能引发癫痫的因素包括产科和围产期因素（15.1%）以及婴儿期中枢神经系统感染（8.4%）。饮酒或使用消遣性药物占10.6%。治疗缺口超过67%，首次发作与首次就诊之间的延迟为15个月。当被要求描述他们的病情或病因时，55.3%的参与者（或其家人）认为癫痫是由精神/宗教原因引起的，而25.1%的人几乎没有认知且无法提供任何描述。
这项首次流行病学研究表明，在刚果民主共和国卢本巴希就诊的患者中癫痫患病率很高，并揭示了显著的治疗缺口。
