ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To describe the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of imprisoned patients with epilepsy seen at Samaritana University Hospital (HUS) in Bogotá D.C., between January 2017 and November 2020. METHODS: Cross-sectional cohort study of inmate patients over 18 years of age seen at HUS between January 2017 and November 2020, with a discharge diagnosis of epilepsy. A descriptive univariate analysis of patient sociodemographic and clinical characteristics was carried out. RESULTS: Overall, 92 patients were included, 95.7% were males with a median age of 32 years (IQR: 26-44); 65% were assessed in the outpatient clinic; median hospital length of stay was 2 days (IQR: 0) and 7.6% required admission to the intensive care unit; 75% had focal onset epilepsy, 63.04% with undetermined etiology 31.52% with structural causes. Polytherapy was found in 53.3%, valproic acid being the most frequently used antiseizure medication in 59.78%; lack of adherence was reported in 15.22% and inadequate seizure control in 81.52%; status epilepticus occurred in 5.34%. A total of 31 EEG recordings and 53 brain images were performed, of which, 29% and 39.62%, respectively, were abnormal. Non-epileptic paroxysmal events were diagnosed in 5.34%, while organic or psychiatric comorbidities were found in 25%, and the use of psychoactive substances was documented in 17.39%. Upon discharge, 93.47% had no disability, and only 45.65% returned for outpatient follow-up. SIGNIFICANCE: The clinical profile was of men in the fourth decade of life with focal onset epilepsy characterized by high seizure frequency, most of whom were receiving antiseizure medication, with a high proportion of polytherapy. The results are a point of departure for prospective studies designed to identify points to intervene and improve healthcare for inmates with epilepsy. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Inmates are a vulnerable proportion of persons with epilepsy. In this group there are significant differences compared to the general population, especially with greater psychiatric comorbidity and worse control of epileptic seizures due to difficulties in accessing medical care, antiseizure medication and diagnostic tests. We found that the most characteristic population is made up of men in the fourth decade of life with a high frequency of seizures, most of whom were receiving multiple antiseizure medication This study is the first of its kind in Latin America and it is an initial approach to epilepsy in inmates.
ABSTRACT
Background: Hypophosphatemic rickets is a rare, genetic syndrome with multisystem involvement. It causes skeletal abnormalities, painful enthesopathies, increased risk of fracture, and short stature; leading to a substantial burden of disease, disability, and worsening of quality of life. To improve health conditions of people living with this disease, it is essential to know its prevalence which is currently unknown in Colombia. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of hypophosphatemic rickets in Colombia by using a mathematical model and national statistic records. Methods: We executed a model to estimate probabilities of transitions between health, disease, and death states (Markov chains). The model was fed with international prevalences taken from original studies (systematic review) and administrative records' data from SISPRO (a national health information system) using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) E833 code, vital statistics, and census data. World Health Organization's (WHO) DISMOD II software was used to develop the model. Findings: The estimated overall prevalence of hypophosphatemic rickets in Colombia in 2018 was 2·03 cases per 100 000 people (981 affected people), with a sensitive range of 1·97 to 2·09. The estimated prevalence by sex was 2·61 (645 people) and 1·43 (336 people) cases per 100 000 women and men, respectively. Interpretation: Our overall estimated prevalence shows consistency with original international data. This is the first prevalence estimation of hypophosphatemic rickets in Colombia and will be relevant to support public health decisions for rare diseases and to provide a pre-test probability framework in clinical practice. DISMOD II and the model are useful tools to estimate the prevalence of rare and orphan diseases, when probabilistic studies cannot be carried out. There are limited bibliographic resources worldwide reporting prevalence values supported by original studies. Our study can be used as a cost-effective methodology reference in this regard, especially for Latin America. Funding: Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, as a donation.
