A community based case control study of prevalence and pattern of cognitive impairments in patients with epilepsy residing in South Eastern Nigeria
Background: Epilepsy is the commonest neurological disorder encountered in Sub Saharan Africa. The quality of life of patients with epilepsy (PWEs) is adversely affected by cognitive impairments. Aim: This study investigated the prevalence and pattern of cognitive impairments in PWE in Ukpo community located in a South Eastern state in Nigeria using Community Screening Interview for Dementia (CSID) and a computer assisted cognitive test battery (FePsy) Methods and Patients: Fifty one PWEs were studied and compared with 51 age sex and level of education matched healthy controls. Diagnosis of epilepsy was confirmed clinically with eye witness corroboration. Sociodemographic data and information on epilepsy variables were obtained with the aid of a questionnaire. Cognitive domains assessed include language, memory, orientation, attention, psychomotor speed and constructional praxis. Results: The prevalence rate of cognitive impairment using total CSID score was 19.6% Analysis of CSID scores revealed significant impairment in language (17.6% memory (29.4% orientation (15.7% attention (7.8% and constructional praxis (15.7% compared to healthy controls. A similar pattern was observed with FePsy but with better sensitivity indices for detecting cognitive impairment. Conclusion: This study indicated significant prevalence rate of cognitive impairment among treatment naive PWE with profound affectation of memory, mental speed and language. In addition, the FePsy was found to be more sensitive and specific in assessment of cognitive function in PWE.
Journal of neurosciences in rural practice