Profile of epilepsy in a neurology clinic in Costa Rica

Introduction. Epilepsy is a worldwide medical problem it affects nearly 1% of the population, In Costa Rica it's no different. Although it is an important problem we don't have any statistical information concerning only epilepsy. Patients and methods. We took on the task of studying the cases of epilepsy in a Neurology clinic in a third level hospital, from January to August 2000. The clinical records of 127 patients with epilepsy were studied. We excluded patients with febrile seizures and those with only one isolated seizure not related to any neurological injury. Results. There was a slight predominance of men (55.11%) over women (44.8%). A great majority of the patients did not have family history of epilepsy, and the average age of on set was 20,062 years. Idiopathic epilepsy was predominant with a 48.3%, 26.77% were cryptogenic and 25.19% symptomatic. Of this, the most frequent etiology was sclerosis and atrophy of the temporal lobe, followed by cerebrovascular disease. As to image studies 96.06% had CT MRI or both; and 94.48% had an EEG. Of all the patients a great majority are receiving treatment with one antiepileptic drug (81.88%). Valproic acid and carbamazepine are the most commonly used. 51.98% of patients have not had a seizure in at least 8 months. Conclusions. It is clear, that our health system provides most of the basic needs required to control most of the epileptic patients. However there are important challenges in the present and pear future, such as developing video-encephalography units for brain mapping and supporting new epilepsy surgery programs. It is our mission also to induce public health authorities to realize the impact of Epilepsy in social aff-irs and economics.