Perfil demográfico y social de la epilepsia en una población vulnerable y de bajos recursos económicos en Bogotá, Colombia / Demographic and social profile of epilepsy in a vulnerable low-income population in Bogotá, Colombia

Introducción: Existen pocos estudios que demuestren el perfil demográfico y social de la epilepsia en poblaciones vulnerables y de bajos recursos económicos. Métodos: Estudio observacional, descriptivo, de corte transversal, en donde se registraron prospectivamente los datos de todos los pacientes con diagnóstico de epilepsia que asistieron a la consulta especializada de neurología durante el periodo comprendido entre enero y marzo del 2014. Se analizaron los datos utilizando herramientas de la epidemiología descriptiva. Resultados: Se valoraron un total de 107 pacientes, de los cuales el 24,2% son analfabetas, y solamente el 10,2% completó estudios de educación superior. El 86,8% de los pacientes viven en un estrato socioeconómico bajo y cerca del 73,8% son solteros. El 76,7% se encuentra desempleados. Los principales factores de riesgo para epilepsia documentados en esta población fueron: retraso en el desarrollo psicomotor (n = 24, 22,4%), trauma craneoencefálico (n = 16, 14,9%) e infección del sistema nervioso central (n = 13, 12,1%). La mayoría de los pacientes (70,1%) son respondedores a los fármacos anticonvulsivos (controlados) y el 15,4% (n = 15) son resistentes (refractarios). Conclusión: El perfil demográfico y clínico de los pacientes incluidos en este estudio es similar a los datos publicados en poblaciones de altos recursos económicos, la diferencia parece fundamentarse en la clasificación etiológica y los factores de riesgo. El perfil social de los pacientes evaluados en este estudio se caracteriza por desempleo, analfabetismo y soltería. Estos datos, en comparación con poblaciones de altos recursos económicos, parecen ser más frecuentes y prevalentes

Introduction: Very few studies describe the demographic and social profile of epilepsy in vulnerable low-income populations. Methods: Observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study prospectively recording data from all patients diagnosed with epilepsy who attended a specialist neurology consultation between January and March 2014. Data were analysed using descriptive epidemiology tools. Results: A total of 107 patients were evaluated, of whom 24.2% were illiterate and only 10.2% had completed a higher education programme. Most of the patients (86.8%) had a low socioeconomic status; 73.8% were single and 76.7% were unemployed. The main risk factors for epilepsy in this population were recorded as follows: delayed psychomotor development (n = 24, 22.4%), head trauma (n = 16, 14.9%), and central nervous system infection (n = 13, 12.1%). Most patients (70.1%) responded to antiepileptic drugs (controlled cases) and 15.4% (n = 15) had drug-resistant epilepsy (refractory cases). Conclusion: The demographic and clinical profiles of the patients included in this study resemble those published for high-income populations; differences are mostly limited to aetiological classification and risk factors. The social profile of the patients evaluated in this study shows high rates of unemployment, illiteracy, and single marital status. These findings seem to be more frequent and prevalent in this group than in high income populations

Demographic and social profile of epilepsy in a vulnerable low-income population in Bogotá, Colombia. / Perfil demográfico y social de la epilepsia en una población vulnerable y de bajos recursos económicos en Bogotá, Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: Very few studies describe the demographic and social profile of epilepsy in vulnerable low-income populations. METHODS: Observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study prospectively recording data from all patients diagnosed with epilepsy who attended a specialist neurology consultation between January and March 2014. Data were analysed using descriptive epidemiology tools. RESULTS: A total of 107 patients were evaluated, of whom 24.2% were illiterate and only 10.2% had completed a higher education programme. Most of the patients (86.8%) had a low socioeconomic status; 73.8% were single and 76.7% were unemployed. The main risk factors for epilepsy in this population were recorded as follows: delayed psychomotor development (n=24, 22.4%), head trauma (n=16, 14.9%), and central nervous system infection (n=13, 12.1%). Most patients (70.1%) responded to antiepileptic drugs (controlled cases) and 15.4% (n=15) had drug-resistant epilepsy (refractory cases). CONCLUSION: The demographic and clinical profiles of the patients included in this study resemble those published for high-income populations; differences are mostly limited to aetiological classification and risk factors. The social profile of the patients evaluated in this study shows high rates of unemployment, illiteracy, and single marital status. These findings seem to be more frequent and prevalent in this group than in high income populations.

Apolipoprotein E genotyping in a sample of Colombian patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Apolipoprotein E e4 (APOEe4) allele has been associated with an increased risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD) in diverse populations. Few studies have been carried out in Hispano-Americans and results are inconclusive due to ethnic diversity. This study determined the frequency of APOE alleles in a group of 61 Caucasian-Mestizos patients with probable AD, and 61 age- and sex-matched controls. APOEe4 frequency was 36.8% for patients, and 8.2% for controls (P < 0.0001; OR 7.6). Genotype frequencies differ between the two groups (P < 0.0001). Genotype 3/3 was the most common. Frequency of genotypes 3/4, 4/4 and 2/4 were higher in patients than in the controls. Our results show a highly significant association of APOEe4 with AD, and implies the importance of APOEe4 as a risk factor in this population.