Correlation between serum level of antiepileptic drugs and their side effects

The aim of the study is to investigate the relation between serum levels of anticonvulsants and their side effects. This is a prospective cross sectional hospital based study conducted at Al Shaab Teaching Hospital. 120 patients were included in the study. The AEDs used were phenytoin, phenobarbitone, carbamazibine, and sodium valproate. The results showed that the side effects among the studied group were not uncommon. There was no relationship between serum levels of AEDs and their side effects

Women and epilepsy: Sudanese experience

Epilepsy is equally prevalent in men and women. However, for women there are unique concerns related to hormone effects on seizures and the effects of seizures and antiepileptic drugs [AEDs] on reproductive health. Some AEDs reduce the efficacy of oral contraceptive agents, increasing the probability of unplanned pregnancies. Seizure frequency may change during pregnancy, seizures may cause pregnancy complications, and the treatment of a woman with epilepsy must consider all these issues. To study the clinical presentation of epilepsy among adult Sudanese females and to verify aspects of epilepsy specific to women. This is a cross sectional descriptive non intervention clinical based study; it was carried out in Elshaab Teaching Hospital and El-shiekh Mohamed Kheir charity clinic, from February-2008 to June-2008. 630 female patients with epilepsy were included in the study. The study showed that 72% of the patients had generalized epilepsy and 28% had partial epilepsy, primary epilepsy is more common than secondary epilepsy, 54% of our patients had warning symptoms and 39.7% had triggering factors, irregular menstrual cycle was observed in 28%, 22% of our patients had catamenial seizures, 7.1% had increased frequency of seizures during pregnancy. Obstetric complications were common among our studied group. The incidence of infertility increased among our studied group. Women had differences in presentation and control of epilepsy that must be understood and considered when treating women with epilepsy

prevalence of neurological complications among adult Sudanese diabetic patients

The objective of this study was to identify the prevalence of neurological complications among adult Sudanese diabetic patients attending the outpatient clinics of El Shaab Teaching Hospital in Khartoum. This is a descriptive cross sectional hospital based study, it was conducted at El Shaab Teaching Hospital, Khartoum, Sudan during the period from February 2004 to October 2006. 100 diabetic patients were included in the study, 62 were male and 38 females. More than 85% were above the age of 35 years and 56% were in the age group 35- 64. The patients were from different tribes and different states. Sixty percent of the patients were from the northern Sudanese states while the rest of patients were from eastern and western states. Seventy seven percent of the patients had type 2 diabetes mellitus and 78.4% of them had diabetes for more than one year. Hypertension was found in 28% of our patients. The study revealed that 60% of the diabetic patients have neurological manifestations. The main neurological complication found was peripheral sensory-motor neuropathy. There is significant positive correlation between age, duration of diabetes, glycaemic control and occurrence of the neurological complications

study of knowledge, attitude, practice towards epilepsy among relative of epileptic patients in Khartoum state

People with epilepsy are suffering from a lot of un tolded negative impacts on their lives; due to misunderstanding of the disease and from the associated stigma. The objective of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice among relatives of Sudanese epileptic patients seen in Sheik Mohamed Kheir Neurological clinic and Elshaab Teaching Hospital. This is a descriptive cross- sectional community based study, 313 respondents were included, the duration of the study was from November 2008 to June 2009. Most of the respondents knew the disease, and had witnessed an attack. One third mentioned a brain lesion as the underlying cause of epilepsy. Most of the respondents mentioned loss of consciousness as the major symptom. More than two thirds mentioned that it is not contagious. Most of the respondents claimed that it can be controlled, and two thirds preferred medical treatment. The study revealed that half of the respondents had shown favourable attitudes and practice. The study revealed that the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice towards epilepsy needs community educational programmes to fill the gaps, and minimize the stigma