Partial (Focal) Epilepsy: Epidemiological, Clinical, Paraclinical, Etiological, Therapeutic And Evolutionary Aspects In The Neurology Department Of TheAmirou Boubacar Diallo National Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: The prevalence of epilepsy in sub-Saharan Africa is high and therefore constitutes a major public health problem. In Niger, the hospitalization rate is 29.5%. The aim of the study is to improve the management of patients living with epilepsy. The objective of the study is to contribute to improving the management of patients living with epilepsy. Methods: This was a retrospective and prospective cross-sectional study in the neurology department of the Amirou Boubacar Diallo National Hospital from May 2017 to December 2022. Results: Our study involved 75 epileptic patients out of 5546 patients who consulted for epileptic seizures, or 0.5%. The sex ratio (M/F) was 1.27. Average age of 17.2 years. Time to treatment less than 2 days in 62.67%. Clinical manifestations with motor signs represented 65.33% and 34.66% of the psychological manifestations. No seizure triggers were found in 50.67% of cases. Familial epilepsy was found in 16% of cases. Head trauma was the personal antecedent in 4% of cases. Consanguinity was found in 48% of cases. Physical examination was abnormal in 6.67% of cases. Secondary generalized focal abnormalities predominated on EEG in 64% of cases and insular localizations in 26.32% of cases. Idiopathic epilepsy was the predominant etiology in 72% of cases. Brain CT was performed in 35% of cases and brain MRI in 12%. Monotherapy was prescribed in 90.67% of our patients. The evolution was favourable in 93.33% of cases. Conclusion: Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder affecting patients of all ages, especially young subjects.