ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: There is a complex inter-relationship between sleep disorders and epilepsy, and there are few studies in Nigeria on sleep disorders in epilepsy. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence, pattern and predictors of sleep disturbances among persons with epilepsy (PWE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a multi-center, cross-sectional study of 124 PWE in Nigeria. A questionnaire was used to collect data on social and demographic variables, epilepsy- related variables and sleep disturbances in PWE. Exclusion criteria were mental retardation, and use of sedative drugs. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 11.0 and P < 0.05 was considered as significant. RESULTS: There were 77 males and 47 females with a mean age of 33.4 ± 13.1 years. The mean age of seizure onset was 23.7 ± 14.6 years, while the mean duration of epilepsy was 9.5 ± 9.4 years. The commonest type of epilepsy was secondarily generalized tonic-clonic seizures (62%). The prevalence of sleep disorders in PWE was 82%. Parasomnias occurred in 46%, followed by obstructive sleep apnea in 23%, insomnia (19%) excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) (17%), and restless leg syndrome (11%). None of the socio-demographic or epilepsy- related variables was predictive of EDS or parasomnias in PWE (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: There is a high frequency of sleep disorders among PWE. Clinicians should screen PWE for sleep disturbances.
Subject(s)
Epilepsy/complications , Seizures/complications , Sleep Stages/physiology , Sleep Wake Disorders/etiology , Adolescent , Adult , Anticonvulsants/therapeutic use , Cross-Sectional Studies , Epilepsy/drug therapy , Epilepsy/physiopathology , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Nigeria/epidemiology , Prevalence , Seizures/drug therapy , Sleep Wake Disorders/diagnosis , Sleep Wake Disorders/epidemiology , Socioeconomic Factors , Surveys and Questionnaires , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Persons with epilepsy in sub-Saharan Africa experience stigma and social marginalization. There is paucity of data on the social and economic impacts of epilepsy in these patients and in particular, groups like women. We sought to determine the social and economic impacts of epilepsy on Nigerian women and especially how it affects their treatment and outcomes. METHODS: We carried out a cross-sectional survey of 63 women with epilepsy (WWE) and 69 controls matched for age, social status and site of care. A structured questionnaire was used to document information on demographic characteristics, education, employment status, economic status, health care use, personal safety and perceived stigma. The data were collated and analyzed with SPSS version 15. RESULTS: Unemployment, fewer years of formal education, lower marriage rates and higher stigma scores were more frequent among WWE than controls. Physical and sexual abuse with transactional sex was also reported among WWE. We also noted poorer environmental and housing conditions and lower mean personal and household incomes among WWE compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: WWE in this sample from Nigeria have worse social and economic status when compared with women with other non-stigmatized chronic medical conditions.
