Prevalence of epilepsy and its specifics by age and sex among the rural population of Mongolia
- VernacularTitle:Монгол орны хөдөөгийн хүн амын дундах эпилепсийн тархалт, нас хүйсийн онцлог
- Author:
Baasanjav D
1
;
Erdenechimeg YA
;
Oyungerel B
;
Sarantsetseg TS
;
Chimeglkham B
;
Khandsuren B
Author Information
1. Institute of Medical Science
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
epilepsy;
prevalence;
rural provinces of Mongolia;
sex difference;
age groups;
high rate;
- From:Mongolian Medical Sciences
2010;153(3):13-17
- CountryMongolia
- Language:Mongolian
-
Abstract:
Background: The data of prevalence of epilepsy in rural provinces among general population in Mongolia is rare. Goal:The study aimed to identify prevalence rate of epilepsy and its characteristics by age and sex among the population in eight provinces (Bayan-Ulgii, Bayankhongor, Gobi-Altai, Zavkhan, Uvurkhangai, Dundgobi, Orkhon and Hentii) of Mongolia.Material and Мethod: This study in the listed aimag populations was carried out by retrospective application and using a questionnaire developed according to a methodology approved by the Academic Council of the Medical Science Institute. For verification of the epilepsy diagnosis, the study based on neurologist examination and EEG. In some suspect cases we used neuroradiological tests including СT and MRI. The diagnosed patients were registered using a special form. The study involved diagnostic examinations of 627762 (306482 males; 321280 females) persons that had at least two unprovoked seizures in their lives. For each case of positive diagnosis we calculated the prevalence rate per 1,000 population in each category of extended age groups (1-12 months, 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-15, 16-17, 18-22, 23-27, 28-32, 33-37, 38-42, 43-47, 48-52, 53-59, and above 60) and by sex.Result: There were 1407 cases (785 males; 622 females) of diagnosed epilepsy among the studied population. The cumulative prevalence rate for all aimags was studied 2,24 (males- 2,56; females-1,93) per 1,000 population. The relatively high prevalence rates per 1,000 population were observed in Gobi-Altai (5,14), Dundgobi (3,31), and Orkhon (2,48) whereas the lowest rate was in Bayankhongor (1, 38). A differential look by sex reveals a high sex gap 6,20 for males and 4,12 for females in Gobi-Altai while Dundgobi (males- 3,84; females- 2,80), Orkhon (males-2,91; females-2,08); Uvurkhangai (males -2,20; females -1,73) show little difference by sex (P>0,05).As for the differences by the detailed age groups, all aimag data shows that prevalence for males ranges between 0,14(1- 12 months) and 5,17 (48-52) and for females between 0,24 (above 60) and 3,82 (38-42). The highest prevalence rate among male population was observed in 48-52 age group, 6,21/1000; followed by age groups 33-37 (2,93/1000); 53-59 (2,84/1000); 38-42 (2,81/1000); and 18-22 (2,38/1000). The highest prevalence rate among female population was observed in 43-47 age group 5,49/1000 followed by 38-42 (5,48/1000); 33-37 (4,0/1000); 53-59 (3,35/1000).Epilepsy prevalence in age groups younger than 11-12 tends to fall for both male and female population. Gender difference in prevalence is that males tend to have higher rates 2,56 than females 1,93 ( P<0,05).Conclusion:1. The general epilepsy prevalence among some rural populations in Mongolia is 2,24 (M -2,56; F-1,93) per 1,000 population.2. The cumulative by all studied aimags data reveal relatively high prevalence rate in age groups of 18-59. This level might be related to men’s vulnerability to traumas and factors of vascular origins while in women it might relate to their physiological transformations of pregnancy delivery and menopause.3. Epilepsy prevalence in age groups under 12 years old tends to fall for both male and female population which might be related to the low level of examination and diagnosis of these diseases among children.4. Compared to some foreign scholars’ data, Mongolia’s epilepsy prevalence rate does not qualify it among the high rate countries.
