[Epidemiology of 500 adult epileptics from a hospital population].

Abstract

On the basis of 500 epileptic patients treated in the Out-Patient Department of the "Instituto de Neurología", Hospital de Clínicas, Montevideo, Uruguay, an epidemiological study is undertaken. Data obtained correspond to the period extending between 1965 and 1975. A precodified data registering system was used and the analysis was done by mechanical processes. It is mainly a descriptive analysis of the group of patients and their seizures, including 20 items. As far as social aspects are concerned, education levels and occupation are analyzed, encountering similar levels as those of the general population in this country. As to etiological factors, a high incidence of familiar history of epilepsy (17%) and of perinatal pathology (19%) is found. An analytical study of the seizures and their provoking factors is performed. Etiological factors are analyzed dividing the patients in two groups according to the age of beginning of seizures (before or after 25 years) and in the younger groups perinatal factors and epilepsy of unknown origin predominate, while in the older group vascular and tumoral causes are more frequent.