The pattern of utilization of EEG services in Harare, Zimbabwe.

OBJECTIVE

In developing countries, EEG services represent a considerable investment in terms of financial costs and staffing requirements which demand appropriate and effective utilization. This study is an evaluation of the pattern of utilization of EEG services in our hospital.

DESIGN

Cases series.

SETTING

The EEG Department of the Parirenyatwa Hospital, Harare, over the six month period between January and June 1995.

SUBJECTS

The EEG records of 237 patients (age range four months to 70 years, M:F ratio 1.5:1) recorded over a six month period were retrospectively studied.

RESULTS

47.3% of EEG records were normal while 52.7% were abnormal. Outpatient referrals accounted for 62.9% of all EEG recordings. While there was a broad spread of referrals from the major medical specialties, only 4.2% of all referrals were from the district hospitals. The majority of referrals were to confirm the diagnosis of epilepsy. Epileptiform abnormalities were detected in 49.4% of patients referred for epilepsy. A total of 47.2% of patients were on psychotropic or anti-epileptic drugs with potential confounding influences on the interpretation of EEG records.

CONCLUSION

The major indication for EEG in our study is the confirmation of the diagnosis of epilepsy. All the indications for EEG referral in this study are further evaluated in the light of current clinical practice.