Epilepsy among Elderly Sudanese Patients

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical presentation and characteristics of elderly Sudanese patients with epilepsy. Methodology: This is a prospective study (from Feb. 2005 to Jun 2008). The study population included 240 elderly epileptic patients (age 60 years or above). Results: Cerebrovascular accident was found to be the most common cause of secondary epilepsy (31).Generalize epilepsy was seen in 120 (50) of patients. Abnormal neurological findings were more common (49) among patients with partial epilepsy. Fifty percent of our patients showed abnormal EEG. Abnormal CT brain findings were common among patients with partial epilepsy. Conclusion: The pattern of clinical presentation of epilepsy among elderly Sudanese epileptic patients is similar to what was mentioned in the literature except that the percentage of epilepsy following infections was more among our studied group (6

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. Objectives: 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. Methods: 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. Results: 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. Conclusion: 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

Diabetes mellitus [DM] in Sudan: an epidemiological approach

There is an increasing number of patient with DM worldwide. Globally there is a change in the style of life. This change is even remarkable in underdeveloped countries, particularly African ones. New ways include tendency to sedentary life, lack of exercise, diabetogenic nutrition which lead to increased number of obese persons. In Sudan DM is taking the proportions of epidemic. So many Sudanese are now educated, immigrated en masse to overseas areas particularly Gulf countries and essentially leading a sedentary life. The prevalence of DM among them is estimated to be 3.4% over 25 year of age. The lowest in the Western Sudan, 0.9% but high in Khartoum, 8.6%. Even higher in Danagla tribe where it reached 10.4%. Complications of the disease are associated with pregnancy and type on diabetes. Poor control, due to lack of resources, enhances complications. DM has a negative impact on quality of life. Local limited resources affect continuation of treatment. On the other hand, simple traditional foods could be improved and utilized effectively targeting towards better diabetes care. It is recommended that more resources should be allocated, and that is with the help of the international community and non-governmental societies, to promote and diabetic care

Lipoproetin pattern in patients with chronic renal failure and those who had renal transplantation

Vascular disease is common in patients with chronic renal failure as well as in patients with renal transplantation. It is a common cause of death in these patients. One possible factor for this increased incidence of vascular disease is hyperlipidaemia that frequently occurs in these patients. To determine the lipoprotein pattern in patients with chronic renal failure and patients who had renal transplantation in our community. 78 patients, age ranging between 10-75 years [mean value of 42.7] were studied. They were 21 pre-dialysis patients, 42 dialyzed patients [20 peritoneal dialysis and 22 Haemodialysis], and 15 patients following renal transplantation. Fasting blood Cholesterol, triglyceride, high and low density lipoprotein [HDL and LDL] were determined. 2 patients of the pre-dialysis group had high cholesterol levels, while 6 patients had high triglyceride levels and 7 patients had high serum HDL levels. Only 9 patients had ischaemic changes on E.C.Gs. 3 [7.3%] patients on dialysis group had high cholesterol levels, 11.9% had high triglyceride levels. 24 patients of the dialysis group had ischaemic changes in E.C.G. 7 transplant patients had high serum triglyceride levels and only two have elevated LDL