Characterization of elderly patients with epilepsy in two hospitals in Bogotá, Colombia

Alberto Velez-van-Meerbeke, Ángela María Gutiérrez-Álvarez, Patricia Quintero Cusguen, David Palau, Paola Andrea Ortiz Salas

Research output: Contribution to conferenceAbstractpeer-review

Abstract

Background: Global prevalence of epilepsy in Colombia is 1.13%. Despite the people is becoming older in the last decade and the group of 60 years and older are 10% of the general population, there’s little information about this disease in this group of age.

Methods and Materials: A cross sectional, descriptive study in two hospitals in Bogotá, Colombia, among 2005-2008 was developed. Data bases and selected clinical records from epileptic patients 65 years and older were reviewed. Demographic data and information related to their condition and treatment was extracted.

Results: 179/211 clinical records were reviewed and selected. The median age was 75 years (65-98) and the average of epilepsy onset was 67.5 years (7-93). In 64.4% the disease began after 65 years old. 84% of the seizures were classified as partial and 11% as generalized. The usual diagnosis was Focal Symptomatic Epilepsy (94.4%). Etiology was reported as unknown in 58% and
cerebrovascular disease in 34%. First generation antiepileptic drugs were most used (99%) especially Phenytoin (68%). 81/104 patients were not free of seizures.

Conclusions: De Novo epilepsy in the elderly is frequent. Inaccuracies in clinical registries, errors in classification, diagnosis and use of medication, lack of cognitive evaluation and adverse event reporting were found; these are major deficiencies in the treatment of epilepsy in the elderly. It’s important to design clinical guidelines to answer the needs of these patients.
Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages189-189
Number of pages1
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 31 2009
Event1st International Congress on Clinical Neurology and Epidemiology -
Duration: Aug 31 2009 → …

Conference

Conference1st International Congress on Clinical Neurology and Epidemiology
Period8/31/09 → …

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Neurology

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