ABSTRACT
Background: Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) is a disabling disorder which has a negative effect on the quality of life of individuals with PNES. A clear understanding of the disorder is necessary; however, to date, research about PNES in South Africa is limited. Objectives: The aims of this study were to explore the demographic variables of individuals with PNES in South Africa, to review the available body of research on PNES, and to compare it with our results. Method: Twenty-two people with PNES, with confirmed video EEG, were recruited by means of convenience sampling from two hospitals. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the demographic variables of the participants. Results: Internationally comparable results revealed misdiagnoses and low treatment delivery amongst a primarily female population.Conclusion: This study provided greater insight into individuals with PNES in South Africa, highlighting the need for more information, support, effective treatment and accurate diagnosis of PNES
Subject(s)
Anticonvulsants , Seizures/diagnosis , Seizures/epidemiology , Seizures/therapy , South AfricaABSTRACT
La crise convulsive; symptome tres frequent en pediatrie represente le type meme d'urgence parce qu'elle peut reveler une maladie necessitant un traitement immediat. Il est question ici d'une etude; realisee dans le CMS de Elf-Congo a Pointe-Noire; portant sur 275 cas de convulsions colliges dans le service du 1er novembre 1988 au 31 decembre 1990. Il ressort de cette etude que la frequence globale de ce symptome est de 3;2 pour cent des admissions pediatriques pendant cette periode; les nourrissons sont les plus touches (78;20 pour cent) et la manifestation clinique la plus frequente est la crise tonique. Ces resultats constituent donc un cri d'alarme pour une prevention du paludisme par une prophylaxie bien codifiee et correctement suivie; seule arme pour reduire les consequences de cette endemie tres meurtriere sous les tropiques