Epilepsy prevalence in the 0-17 age group in Trabzon, Turkey

Epilepsy is a most common serious neurological disorder and is one of the world's most prevalent non-communicable diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of epilepsy in 0-17 year old children in Trabzon, Turkey. A cross-sectional epidemiological investigation was performed in two phases, a screening phase and a confirmation of the diagnosis phase. The gold standard was a clinical investigation and neurological examination. The diagnosis of epilepsy followed clinical guidelines proposed by the International League against Epilepsy [ILAE]. The chi-square test was used in analysis of the results and P-value <0.05 was calculated. The prevalence per 1000 participants of epilepsy was 8.6 [5.9-11.4; [95%]CI]. We detected 37 cases [18 males and 19 females] of epilepsy. The male/female ratio was 0.95. This study showed an increased risk for epilepsy with low socioeconomic level, a history of postpartum seizure, meningitis, head trauma, febrile convulsion and family history of epilepsy. More than one seizure type was present in 15 [40.5%] of epileptic children. Generalized tonic-clonic seizures were determined in 24 patients [64.9%] and absence type in 9 [24.3%]. It was found that 25.0% of children with epilepsy had never visited the school at the time the study was performed due to the disease and attendant seizures. The prevalence of epilepsy in Trabzon is low compared to other parts of Turkey and other developing countries

Time course from first symptom to the treatment of lung cancer in the eastern black sea region of Turkey

To determine the delay between the onset and the diagnosis and treatment of patients with lung cancer in two cancer centres in the Eastern Black Sea Region of Turkey. Subjects and The records of 226 patients [217 males, 9 females] were evaluated retrospectively for the dates noted for the onset of symptoms, first presentation to a physician, histopathological diagnosis and start of treatment. The median time intervals from the appearance of the first symptom to definitive diagnosis and treatment were calculated. The patients presented to their physicians 30 [range 2-365] days after their complaints began. The time that elapsed between admission and histopathological diagnosis and between the diagnosis and initiation of therapy were 8 [range 1-210] and 17.5 days [range 0-206], respectively. The median time span from presentation to treatment was 30 days [range 1-253]. There were no significant time interval differences between onset of symptoms and first presentation and the subsequent diagnostic and therapeutic processes for histopathology, stage of the tumour and treatment procedures [p > 0.05]. Reasons for the delayed treatment of lung cancer patients were late presentation to the physician and the long time interval between tissue diagnosis and treatment. This delay was mostly associated with a large number of patients and delayed appointments for imaging procedures - the result of organisational problems within the health services of Turkey