Public misconceptions and attitudes towards persons diagnosed with epilepsy in the Kingdom of Bahrain: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Despite significant advancements in the understanding and treatment of epilepsy, the quality of life for persons diagnosed with Epilepsy (PdwE) can still be negatively impacted due to prevalent misconceptions and societal attitudes. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, misconceptions, and attitudes towards epilepsy in Bahrain. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 1079 participants aged ≥ 18 years living in Bahrain. Data collection occurred between June and December 2023 through an online questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of four sections: sociodemographic characteristics, sources of information, knowledge about epilepsy, and attitudes toward PdwE. RESULTS: Most participants (1063 out of 1179) were familiar with epilepsy, with social media being the main source of information (56.7%). While 75.6% correctly recognized epilepsy as a nervous system disorder. About 30% of participants believed that body shaking and falling to the ground were the only types of seizures. In terms of attitudes, 47.9% believed that PdwE could achieve high levels of education, but 40% thought they might face job loss due to their condition. Additionally, 27.5% disagreed with the idea of marrying someone with epilepsy or allowing a family member to do so. Being female, young, highly educated, and having a family member with epilepsy were associated with significantly more positive attitudes compared to other groups. CONCLUSION: The studied sample of the Bahraini public demonstrated a satisfactory level of knowledge about epilepsy. However, they still held certain misconceptions that could impact their attitudes towards PdwE. Community awareness campaigns can address this knowledge gap and reduce epilepsy stigma.

Comorbid conditions in Egyptian patients with migraine.

BACKGROUND: Identifying migraine comorbidities may guide prognosis and treatment options. This study aimed to assess the frequency of comorbid conditions among adults with migraine living in Greater Cairo. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, Egyptian migraine sufferers aged ≥ 18 years living in Greater Cairo were consecutively recruited (April 2019 - April 2021). Following The International Classification of Headache Disorders-third edition, diagnosis of migraine was confirmed, and the type of migraine was defined as whether episodic or chronic, with or without aura, with childhood/adolescence or adulthood onset. Specialist physicians from the research team assessed comorbid conditions among the respondents. RESULTS: The mean age of respondents (n = 1064) was 35 ± 7. Irritable bowel syndrome represented the most common comorbidity in our patients (45.5%), followed by vitamin D deficiency (41.8%). The frequency of epilepsy, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and systemic lupus erythematosus was significantly higher in patients with chronic than episodic type (χ2 = 4.514, P = 0.034), (χ2 = 12.302, P = 0.001), (χ2 = 12.302, P = 0.001), (χ2 = 4.806, P 0.028), respectively. Females with menstrual migraines had a significantly higher frequency of generalized anxiety disorder, panic attacks, and restless leg syndrome than those with non-menstrual migraines (χ2 = 7.636, P 0.006), (χ2 = 9.245, P = 0.002), and (χ2 = 11.997, P = 0.001), respectively. The frequency of diabetes was significantly higher in patients with migraine with aura than in those without aura (χ2 = 4.248, P value 0.039). CONCLUSION: This study provides a better understanding of the comorbidities in Egyptian patients with migraine and will provide new avenues for developing individualized therapy for migraine patients.

Female sexual dysfunction in newly diagnosed egyptian patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.

BACKGROUND: Few research works have explored female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in patients with Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) which remains an ignored disease symptom. This work aimed to describe the frequency, patterns, and predictors of FSD in a sample of newly diagnosed AQP4-ab seropositive NMOSD patients. METHODS: This case-control study was conducted on 28 seropositive NMOSD patients and 31 age matched healthy controls. All included patients were asked to privately fill and hand back the following questionnaires: female sexual function index questionnaire (FSFI), Beck depression inventory II (BDI) and fatigue severity scale (FSS). Also, Modified Modified Ashworth scale (MMAS) and Expanded disability status scale (EDSS) were applied to all included patients. RESULTS: NMOSD patients had significantly lower total FSFI scores and significantly higher BDI and FSS scores than controls (P < 0.001). FSS scores were negatively correlated with total scores of FSFI as well as desire, lubrication, orgasm, and satisfaction scores. BDI scores was negatively correlated with desire and orgasm scores. The uncorrected visual FS score was negatively correlated with lower total scores of FSFI as well as arousal, orgasm, and satisfaction scores. The pain score was negatively correlated with the scores of the MMAS. The only predictors of FSFI total score were fatigue and visual disability. Visual disability was also a predictor of dysfunction in arousal and satisfaction domains, whereas spasticity in the lower limbs predicted sexual related pain. CONCLUSIONS: Sexual dysfunction in patients with NMOSD is strongly related to fatigue, depression, visual disability, and lower limbs spasticity.