The pattern of epilepsy in a rural African hospital - an approach adapted to local circumstances.

ABSTRACT

The classification of epilepsy, which represents the commonest neurological disorder throughout the developing world, has been difficult due to lack of diagnostic tools. Adapted to the circumstances of an epilepsy clinic in northern Tanzania, we grouped people with epilepsy (PWE) according to an adjusted version of the International Classification of Epileptic Seizures with the main groups being generalized types of seizures (206 PWE) divided into those starting within (147 PWE) and those starting outside (59 PWE) a specific age range (6-25 years); and partial types of seizures (102 PWE) with subgroups of generalized seizures with diffuse brain damage (41 PWE), those with predominantly focal signs (60 PWE) and complex partial seizures (1 PWE). Clinical implications are discussed.