Prevalence of epilepsy and alcohol-related risk in Zayul County, Tibet Autonomous Region in China: An initial survey

Abstract

Objective The goal of this study was to establish the prevalence rates of epilepsy and alcohol-related risk and the treatment gap in Zayul County, Tibet Autonomous Region, to evaluate the diagnosis and treatment status of these patients. Methods A door-to-door epidemiological survey was conducted among all the people living in the towns of Shang Zayul and Xia Zayul. A screening questionnaire for epilepsy was used. Clinical and sociodemographic data were collected from patients confirmed to have epilepsy. An audit was used for patients with epilepsy who had a definite history of alcohol consumption and drinking habit change. Results A total of 7669 people were investigated. Of these, 180 were confirmed to have epilepsy, which was active in 175. Lifetime prevalence was estimated to be 23.5 per 1000 in this population. None of the patients with active epilepsy had received any reasonable antiepileptic therapy in the week before the survey (treatment gap). Ninety-six percent of patients with epilepsy aged between 20 and 60 drank alcoholic beverages. However, in only 25 (13.9%) patients with epilepsy was the epilepsy related to alcohol; most patients (80.6%) had no definite causes. There were no local health workers who received any formal training on epilepsy before, nor did the local health agencies provide any conventional antiepileptic drugs. Conclusion The prevalence rates of epilepsy in the towns of Shang Zayul and Xia Zayul of the Tibet Autonomous Region were relatively higher than in other areas. The alcohol-related health problems cannot be ignored. This serious situation and the large treatment gap indicate a pressing need for medical, financial and social support in this population.