Medical History and Clinical Characteristics of People with Epilepsy Attending Two Tertiary Hospitals in Southeast Nigeria: A Review of 150 Adults

Abstract

The key to accurate classification of epilepsies is the accurate characterization of seizure types and clinical history. Accurate clinical characterization of seizures is important in selecting candidates who are more likely to benefit from radio-imaging. Few studies have addressed the clinical characteristic of seizures in people living with epilepsy (PWE) in southeast Nigeria. A total of 150 cases of epilepsy were reviewed with a male to female ratio of 1.7:1. P=0.96. The mean age of the patients was 33.6(16.4) years. The peak age group of the patients was 20-29 years with a smaller peak after 50 years. The mean age-of-onset was 30.9(15.3) years, earlier in females than males. P=0.01. The peak age onset was 0-9 years. More than half of the PWE (54%) reported that seizures could occur at any time of the day while 4(2.7%) said they had seizures on awakening.  Seventy (46.7%) could never predict the onset of seizures. Sixty-eight(45.3%) had experienced multiple seizures within a week in the past and 54(36%) had experienced prolonged seizures lasting more than 10 minutes. Overall, 78(52%) reported a history of bodily injury but only 12(8%) considered their injury as severe. The commonest medication used 114(76%). In conclusion, there is second peak of age-of-onset after 50 years in epilepsy patients attending a hospital clinic in southeast Nigeria. About 46.7% could predict the onset of seizures. PWE also reported high rates of possible status epilepticus and seizure clusters, high rates of injury.