Door-to-door prevalence survey of epilepsy in three sicilian municipalities
- Autori: Rocca, W.; Savettieri, G.; Anderson, D.; Meneghini, F.; Grigoletto, F.; Morgante, L.; Reggio, A.; Salemi, G.; Patti, F.; Di Perri, R.
- Anno di pubblicazione: 2001
- Tipologia: Articolo in rivista (Articolo in rivista)
- Parole Chiave: Epilepsy; Prevalence; Screening; Sicily; Survey; Epidemiology; Neurology (clinical)
- OA Link: http://hdl.handle.net/10447/207708
Abstract
A door-to-door prevalence survey of epilepsy was conducted in 3 Sicilian municipalities, as of November 1, 1987. In phase 1, the screening by questionnaire of 24,496 eligible subjects (participation = 92%) identified 544 suspected to have epilepsy. In phase 2, neurological evaluation of the 544 subjects yielded 111 with epilepsy. Of the 111 subjects, 103 (93%) had been previously diagnosed, 68 (61%) were taking antiepileptic medication, and 81 (73%) had active epilepsy. Referring to the 81 subjects with active epilepsy, the seizure type was generalized in 60 (74%), partial in 19 (23%) and undetermined in 2 (3%). The prevalence of active epilepsy (per 1,000 population) was 3.3 overall, 3.5 for men and 3.2 for women. The age-specific patterns for active epilepsy differed by sex, with higher figures for men at younger ages (5-19 years) and older ages (50-99 years). The age-specific prevalence figures for active epilepsy were lower than those from previous Italian surveys. Copyright © 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.