Background/Aims: The prevalence of epilepsy in Algeria is unknown. The aims of this multicenter transversal study were to determine the national prevalence and clinical characteristics of epilepsy in the Algerian population. Methods: This two-phase study was conducted in 5 circumscriptions and included 8,046 subjects aged over 2 months who attended the randomly selected public and private primary care clinics. In the phase 1 study, a questionnaire was submitted to the sample of patients. In the phase 2 study, all potentially epileptic people were examined by neurologists and a second questionnaire was submitted, eventually assessed by appropriate investigations. Results: Sixty-seven patients were identified as having active epilepsy, giving a crude prevalence ratio of 8.32 per 1,000 (95% CI, 6.34–10.3) and an age-adjusted prevalence ratio of 8.9 per 1,000. The highest age-specific ratio was found in patients aged 10–19 years (16.92 per 1,000). Generalized seizures (68.7%) were more common than partial seizures (29.8%). Perinatal injuries were the major leading putative causes (11.9%). Conclusion: The prevalence of epilepsy of 8.32 determined in this study is relatively high. These results provide new epidemiological data and suggest that epilepsy remains an important public health issue to consider in Algeria.

Keywords:
Epilepsy, Prevalence of epilepsy, Algeria
1.
World Health Organization: Epilepsy: Epidemiology, Etiology and Prognosis. WHO Fact Sheet 2001, No 165 (revised report).
2.
Osuntokun BO, Schoenberg BS, Nottidge VA, Adeuja AOG, Kale O, Adeyefa A: Research protocol for measuring the prevalence of neurologic disorders in developing countries: results of a pilot study in Nigeria. Neuroepidemiology 1982;1:143–153.
3.
Preux PM, Chea K, Chamroeun H, Bhalla D, Vannareth M, Huc P, Samleng C, Cayreyre M, Gérard D, Dumas M, Oum S: First-ever, door-to-door cross-sectional representative study in Prey Veng province (Cambodia). Epilepsia 2011;52:1382–1387.
4.
Attia-Romdhane N, Mrabet A, Ben Hamida M: Prevalence of epilepsy in Kelibia, Tunisia. Epilepsia 1993;34:1028–1032.
5.
Stridharan R, Radhakrishnan K, Ashok PP, Moussa ME: Epidemiological and clinical study of epilepsy in Benghazi, Libya. Epilepsia 1986;27:60–65.
6.
Commission on Classification and Terminology of the International League against Epilepsy: Proposal for revised clinical and electroencephalographic classification of epileptic seizures. Epilepsia 1981;22:489–501.
7.
Commission on Classification and Terminology of the International League against Epilepsy: Proposal for revised classification of epilepsies and epileptic syndromes. Epilepsia 1989;30:389–399.
8.
Sander JW: The epidemiology of epilepsy revisited. Curr Opin Neurol 2003;16:165–170.
9.
Koul R, Razdan S, Motta A: Prevalence and pattern of epilepsy (Lath/Mirgi/Laran) in rural Kashmir, India. Epilepsia 1988;29:116–122.
10.
Hauser WA, Annegers JF, Kurland LT: Prevalence of epilepsy in Rochester, Minnesota: 1940–1980. Epilepsia 1991;32:429–445.
11.
Guekht A, Hauser WA, Milchakova L, Churillin Y, Shpak A, Gusev E: The epidemiology of epilepsy in the Russian federation. Epilepsy Res 2010;92:209–218.
12.
Nsengiyumva G, Druet-Cabanac M, Ramanankandrasana B, Bouteille B, Nsizabira L, Preux PM: Cysticercosis as a major risk factor for epilepsy in Burundi, East Africa. Epilepsia 2003;44:950–955.
© 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel
2012
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.