European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

CLINICAL AND SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE OF PATIENTS WITH EPILEPSY IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE OF EASTERN NEPAL: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Dr. Namita Kumari Mandal*, Gajendra Prasad Rauniar, Dilli Sher Rai, Bickram Pradhan, Nidesh Sapkota and Prakash Poudel

ABSTRACT

Background: Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder, affecting millions of people worldwide, with significant morbidity and mortality irrespective of ethnicity, race or gender. Fear, misunderstanding, discrimination and social stigma have surrounded epilepsy for centuries. Objectives: This study was conducted to see the socio-demographic and clinical profile of epileptic patients. Material & Methods: It was a hospital-based, descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted in 42 epileptic patients coming for drug monitoring in pharmacology department. A semi-structured, pre-validated, goal-directed Proforma was used for data collection. Collected data were entered in Microsoft EXCEL and converted it into SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) version 11.5 for statistical analysis. Mean, standard deviation, percentages were calculated. Results: Majority were males 24 (57.14%). Most of the cases were of age group 11-20 years. The Generalized Tonic-clonic seizure was the most common diagnosis made 17(40.5%). Students (57%) were more affected. Noncompliance to treatment was seen in 15(35.71%) and 5(11.9%) said their seizure was due to some past-life consequences and had visited faith-healer in their village prior to medical treatment. 31% were using polytherapy for their seizure control, out of which 15(35.71%) were noncompliant to treatment. Conclusion: Misconception about epilepsy in Nepal is still present and treated as a social stigma. Enforcement of effective preventive and awareness program on epilepsy for the public can reduce the incidence of seizure and also help to improve subservience to treatment for the better patient outcome.

Keywords: Epilepsy, seizure, socio-demographic.