A systematic review of the epidemiology of epilepsy in Mexico during 1970 to 2020.

BACKGROUND: Epilepsy is the most common major neurological disorder that affects people of all ages. The prevalence varies from one country to another and even between different areas, due to a lack of access to medical care for reasons related to limited resources. OBJECTIVE: Epilepsy is a worldwide public health problem that affects more deeply populations living in developing countries such as Mexico, where more aggressive health policies based on epidemiological data are needed; however, this information is scarce and the evolution of this data over time remains unclear. The aim of the present study is to provide an overview of the epidemiology of epilepsy in Mexico from 1970 to 2020. METHODS: We searched descriptive epidemiological studies on epilepsy in rural and urban regions of Mexico from 1970 to 2020. Available data on the sociodemographic characteristics, prevalence, and incidence data were extracted. Finally, the abstract, full-text review, and data abstraction were conducted in duplicate and reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Descriptive statistics was also used. RESULTS: Overall, 11 underrepresented and heterogeneous epidemiological studies were included. In total, the prevalence of epilepsy in Mexico is 3.9 to 41:1,000 inhabitants; 3.9 to 41 per 1,000 persons in rural regions, and 3.49 to 44.3 per 1,000 persons in urban regions. None of these studies addressed the incidence of epilepsy. The prevalence of epilepsy in Mexico has remained unchanged during the last 5 decades. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm a high prevalence of epilepsy in both urban and rural settings in Mexico that remain unchanged during the last 5 decades. All studies included in the present review showed multiple methodological limitations. New and robust epidemiological studies are needed to delineate the epidemiological profile of epilepsy in Mexico.

ANTECEDENTES: La epilepsia es el trastorno neurológico más común que afecta a individuos de todas las edades. La prevalencia varía entre paises e incluso entre diferentes áreas del mismo pais debido a la falta de acceso a la atención médica. OBJECTIVO: La epilpesía es un problema de salud pública mundial que afecta de manera más importante a los países en desarrollo como México, donde hacen falta políticas en salud y datos epidemiológicos, para conocer el impacto real de esta enfermedad. El objetivo de este estudio es brindar una visión general de la epidemiología de la epilepsia en México (1970-2020). MéTODOS: Se realizo unas búsquedas bibliografica de estudios epidemiológicos descriptivos sobre epilepsia en regiones rurales y urbanas de México desde 1970 a 2020. Se extrajeron los datos disponibles sobre las características sociodemográficas, prevalencia e incidencia. Finalmente, el resumen, la revisión completa del texto y la extracción de datos se realizaron por duplicado y se informaron utilizando PRISMA. Se utilizo estadística descriptiva. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 11 estudios epidemiológicos heterogeéneos. En total la prevalencia de epilepsia en México es 3.9-41: 1000 habitantes; 3,9 a 41 por 1000 personas en las regiones rurales y 3,49 a 44,3 por 1000 personas en las regiones urbanas. Ninguno de estos estudios abordó la incidencia de epilepsia. La prevalencia de la epilepsia en México se ha mantenido sin cambios durante las últimas cinco décadas. CONCLUSIONES: Nuestros resultados confirman una alta prevalencia de epilepsia en las areas urbanas y rurales de México que se mantiene sin cambios durante las últimas cinco décadas. Todos los estudios incluidos en esta revisión mostraron múltiples limitaciones metodológicas. Se necesitan estudios epidemiológicos nuevos y sólidos para delinear el perfil epidemiológico de la epilepsia en México.

A systematic review of the epidemiology of epilepsy in Mexico during 1970 to 2020 / Revision sistematica de la epidemiologia en Mexico de la epilepsia de 1970 a 2020

Abstract Background Epilepsy is the most common major neurological disorder that affects people of all ages. The prevalence varies from one country to another and even between different areas, due to a lack of access to medical care for reasons related to limited resources. Objective Epilepsy is a worldwide public health problem that affects more deeply populations living in developing countries such as Mexico, where more aggressive health policies based on epidemiological data are needed; however, this information is scarce and the evolution of this data over time remains unclear. The aim of the present study is to provide an overview of the epidemiology of epilepsy in Mexico from 1970 to 2020. Methods We searched descriptive epidemiological studies on epilepsy in rural and urban regions of Mexico from 1970 to 2020. Available data on the sociodemographic characteristics, prevalence, and incidence data were extracted. Finally, the abstract, full-text review, and data abstraction were conducted in duplicate and reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Descriptive statistics was also used. Results Overall, 11 underrepresented and heterogeneous epidemiological studies were included. In total, the prevalence of epilepsy in Mexico is 3.9 to 41:1,000 inhabitants; 3.9 to 41 per 1,000 persons in rural regions, and 3.49 to 44.3 per 1,000 persons in urban regions. None of these studies addressed the incidence of epilepsy. The prevalence of epilepsy in Mexico has remained unchanged during the last 5 decades. Conclusions Our results confirm a high prevalence of epilepsy in both urban and rural settings in Mexico that remain unchanged during the last 5 decades. All studies included in the present review showed multiple methodological limitations. New and robust epidemiological studies are needed to delineate the epidemiological profile of epilepsy in Mexico.

Resumen Antecedentes La epilepsia es el trastorno neurológico más común que afecta a individuos de todas las edades. La prevalencia varía entre paises e incluso entre diferentes áreas del mismo pais debido a la falta de acceso a la atención médica. Objectivo La epilpesía es un problema de salud pública mundial que afecta de manera más importante a los países en desarrollo como México, donde hacen falta políticas en salud y datos epidemiológicos, para conocer el impacto real de esta enfermedad. El objetivo de este estudio es brindar una visión general de la epidemiología de la epilepsia en México (1970-2020). Métodos Se realizo unas búsquedas bibliografica de estudios epidemiológicos descriptivos sobre epilepsia en regiones rurales y urbanas de México desde 1970 a 2020. Se extrajeron los datos disponibles sobre las características sociodemográficas, prevalencia e incidencia. Finalmente, el resumen, la revisión completa del texto y la extracción de datos se realizaron por duplicado y se informaron utilizando PRISMA. Se utilizo estadística descriptiva. Resultados Se incluyeron 11 estudios epidemiológicos heterogeéneos. En total la prevalencia de epilepsia en México es 3.9-41: 1000 habitantes; 3,9 a 41 por 1000 personas en las regiones rurales y 3,49 a 44,3 por 1000 personas en las regiones urbanas. Ninguno de estos estudios abordó la incidencia de epilepsia. La prevalencia de la epilepsia en México se ha mantenido sin cambios durante las últimas cinco décadas. Conclusiones Nuestros resultados confirman una alta prevalencia de epilepsia en las areas urbanas y rurales de México que se mantiene sin cambios durante las últimas cinco décadas. Todos los estudios incluidos en esta revisión mostraron múltiples limitaciones metodológicas. Se necesitan estudios epidemiológicos nuevos y sólidos para delinear el perfil epidemiológico de la epilepsia en México.

Safety and efficacy of cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation in patients with Lennox Gastaut Syndrome: An open-label, prospective, single-center, single-blinded, pilot study.

PURPOSE: Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (SLG) is a severe form of childhood refractory epilepsy. Only one pilot study has been conducted using cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation (c-tDCs; 2mAx30minx5days) in LGS with promising results (-99% seizure reduction at 5 days). Our aim was to explore and replicate the efficacy and safety of 10 daily sessions of c-tDCs in SLG. METHODS: We conducted a one-blinded, single-center pilot clinical study of c-tDCs (2mAx 30 min x 10 days), applied over the highest amplitude or frequent epileptiform interictal discharges areas using scalp EEG recordings without changes in their treatments. The tDCS device used was Enobio EEG® (Neuroelectrics, Barcelona, Spain). The primary outcome was based on the seizure frequency using seizure diaries before, during 10 days of treatment, and then on a 4 and 8 weeks of follow-up. The rate of adverse events was recorded as a secondary outcome. Descriptive statistics and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used RESULTS: Twenty-four patients were enrolled. The mean age was 10.1 ± 5.8 years old and 75% male. All the patients had severe mental retardation and abnormal neurological examinations. A significant median percentual seizure frequency reduction was found: 68.12% (p = 0.05) at 1 week, 68.12% (p = 0.002) in the second week. We found no significant reduction at 1 and 2 months; mainly tonic and atonic seizures were reduced significantly at all times. Only mild self-limited side effects were recorded mainly itching and erythema in the application zone CONCLUSION: Ten sessions of c-tDCs in combination with pharmacologic treatment in LGS is safe and appears to reduce significatively tonic and atonic seizure frequency at 2 months of follow-up.