epidemiology-of-epilepsy-data-from-a-small-city-in-the-northwest-of-sao-paulo-state-brazil

Purpose: Epilepsy is a public health problem.The aim of this study was to investigate incidence, prevalence and risk factors of epilepsy in a small city in the northwest of São Paulo state -Brazil.Methods: This was a population-based cross-sectional study involving urban and rural environments.The study included two phases.In phase I, 20 health care agents conducted a door-to-door survey to screen cases using an 8-item questionnaire on epilepsy.Records on dispensing of antiepileptic drugs by the Municipal Health Secretary were also used.In phase II, a senior neurologist confirmed the diagnostic of all positive cases.Results: Eighty (80) cases of epilepsy were identified, of which 40 (50%) were males.The crude incidence of epilepsy was 54.7/100000 inhabitants/year, amounting to 41.6 for males and 67.7 for females.The crude prevalence of active epilepsy was 16.1/1000 inhabitants, of which 14.0/1000 inhabitants for men and 16.8/1000 inhabitants for women.In this study, prevalence was 22.33/1000 inhabitants in the rural area.Also, main risk factors for epilepsy and the incidence profile considering the age groups were also studied.Conclusion: This is a pioneer study conducted in small cities and plays an important role for confirming high incidence and prevalence similar to developing countries.