Management of epilepsy at a public tertiary hospital in Ghana

Abstract Epilepsy is a condition characterized by repeated seizures due to a dysfunction of the brain cells. This study helped to determine appropriateness of drug treatment, availability and easy access to medication at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Kumasi. In addition, patients were assessed for the presence of depression as comorbidity.

The study reviewed 164 patient folders and interviewed 70 patients using a questionnaire. Patients who visited the hospital from January, 2013 were included in the study. Data collected included demographic data, epilepsy treatment, adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Patients were also assessed for depression.

Patients were between ages 1 to 65 years. Generalized seizures accounted for 93.9%, of which 126 patients presented with tonic-clonic seizures. Six AEDs were commonly prescribed. Carbamazepine was the most prescribed for generalized seizures. For partial seizures, phenytoin was the most prescribed. Eleven adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were reported; the most common being weight gain and headache. 68% of patients purchased their drugs from community pharmacies, whiles 32% received their drugs from the hospital under the National Health Insurance Scheme. 49 patients were positive for depression using the Neurological Disorders Depression Inventory for Epilepsy (NDDI-E) instrument.

Management of epilepsy in KATH is inadequate.

Keywords Epilepsy, Carbamazepine, KATH, antiepileptic drug (AED), adverse drug reactions, NDDI-E.

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Updated: January 20, 2024 — 9:52 am