Electroencephalographic Findings, Antiepileptic Drugs and Risk Factors of 433 Individuals Referred to a Tertiary Care Hospital in Ethiopia

Little is known about the characteristics of electroencephalogram (EEG) findings in epileptic patients in Ethiopia. The objective of this study was to characterize the EEG patterns, indications, antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), and epilepsy risk factors. METHODS: A retrospective observational review of EEG test records of 433 patients referred to our electrophysiology unit between July 01, 2020, and December 31, 2021. Results: The age distribution in the study participants was right skewed unipolar age distribution for both sexes and the mean age of 33.8 (SD=15.7) years. Male accounted for 51.7%. Generalized tonic clonic seizure was the most common seizure type. The commonest indication for EEG was abnormal body movement with loss of consciousness (35.2%). Abnormal EEG findings were observed in 55.2%; more than half of them were Interictal epileptiform discharges, followed by focal/or generalized slowing. Phenobarbitone was the commonest AEDs. A quarter (20.1%) of the patients were getting a combination of two AEDs and 5.2% were on 3 different AEDs. Individuals taking the older AEDs and those on 2 or more AEDs tended to have abnormal EEG findings. A cerebrovascular disorder (27.4%) is the prevalent risk factor identified followed by brain tumor, HIV infection, and traumatic head injury respectively. CONCLUSION: High burden of abnormal EEG findings among epileptic patients referred to our unit. The proportion of abnormal EEG patterns was higher in patients taking older generation AEDs and in those on 2 or more AEDs. Stroke, brain tumor, HIV infection and traumatic head injury were the commonest identified epilepsy risk factors

Subarachnoid hemorrhage: clinical presentation, causes and outcome in 52 Ethiopian patients

Introduction: Subarachnoid hemorrhage is a devastating neurological emergency associated with high mortality and disability. Little is known about its occurrence and clinical profile in Ethiopia. We, therefore, studied the clinical presentation, causes and outcome of the condition among in a tertiary facility.Methods: A retrospective analysis of records of patients admitted with the diagnosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage to Tikur Anbassa Specialized Hospital over a period of 12 years, January 2001 to January 2012, was undertaken.Results: Of 725 patients admitted with the diagnosis of stroke 52 (7.1%) patients were diagnosed to have subarachnoid hemorrhage. Death was registered in 18(34.6%) and disability in seven (13.4%).Hypertension was the most common risk factor, observed in 36 (69.21 %) of the patients, and seizure disorder and electrolyte abnormalities-hyponatremia were the most common complications. Conclusion: The outcome of subarachnoid hemorrhage in this study is comparable with reports from elsewhere. A prospective and well-designed epidemiological study is recommended. There is a need to improve the diagnostic and interventional capacity of the hospital