Background And Purpose: Few of the epidemiologic studies of epilepsy have utilized well-validated nationwide databases. We estimated the nationwide prevalence of treated epilepsy based on a comprehensive medical payment database along with diagnostic validation.
Methods: We collected data on patients prescribed of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment service, which covers the entire population of Korea. To assess the diagnostic validity, a medical records survey was conducted involving 6,774 patients prescribed AEDs from 43 institutions based on regional clusters and referral levels across the country. The prevalence of treated epilepsy was estimated by projecting the diagnostic validity on the number of patients prescribed AEDs.
Results: The mean positive predictive value (PPV) for epilepsy was 0.810 for those prescribed AEDs with diagnostic codes that indicate epilepsy or seizure (Diagnosis-E), while it was 0.066 for those without Diagnosis-E. The PPV tended to decrease with age in both groups, with lower values seen in females. The prevalence was 3.84 per 1,000, and it was higher among males, children, and the elderly.
Conclusions: The prevalence of epilepsy in Korea was comparable to that in other East Asian countries. The diagnostic validity of administrative health data varies depending on the method of case ascertainment, age, and sex. The prescriptions of AEDs even without relevant diagnostic codes should be considered as a tracer for epilepsy.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.3988/jcn.2016.12.4.434 | DOI Listing |
Front Psychol
January 2025
Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran.
Background: Fatigue is a prevalent issue among cancer patients. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an individualized intervention that empowers patients and caregivers to actively participate in the treatment process. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis examined the impact of CBT on fatigue in cancer patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFClin Cosmet Investig Dermatol
January 2025
Western University, London, ON, Canada.
Acne vulgaris is a globally prevalent dermatological condition associated with substantial physical and psychological burden. Although acne typically presents during adolescence, it is a chronic condition that also affects many adults. Despite the spectrum of treatments available for acne, limitations in tolerability and safety concerns can present challenges for the use of conventional medications in clinical practice.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEClinicalMedicine
February 2025
Department of Psychiatry, Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.
Background: Brain stimulation therapy (BST) has significant potential in treating psychiatric, movement, and cognitive disorders. Given the high prevalence of comorbidities among these disorders, we conducted an umbrella review to comprehensively assess the efficacy of BSTs in treating the core symptoms across these three categories of disorders.
Methods: We systematically searched for meta-analyses and network meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials with sham controls up to September 25, 2024, from databases including PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, and the Cochrane Library.
Int J Cardiol Heart Vasc
February 2025
Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology, University Hospital of Heidelberg, Germany.
Background: A significant number of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) on direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) receives off-label or inappropriate doses. This study examines the prevalence, dosages, and clinical outcomes in AF-patients on DOAC therapy admitted to an emergency department (ED).
Methods: This retrospective single-center observational study utilized data from the Heidelberg Registry of Atrial Fibrillation (HERA-FIB), consecutively including patients with AF presenting to the ED of the University Hospital of Heidelberg from June 2009 to March 2020.
Pak J Med Sci
January 2025
Ikram Din Ujjan, PhD Department of Pathology, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Pakistan.
Objective: To determine the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in isolated from urine cultures of patients with uncomplicated cystitis in Pakistan. Another objective was to analyze and compare the resistance rates of to specific antibiotics, conducting a year-by-year evaluation of these rates to identify trends and changes over the past seven years.
Methods: Retrospective analysis of susceptibility data of isolated from midstream urine culture samples of patients presenting in outpatient department with uncomplicated cystitis, from January 2016 to December 2022 in the section of Microbiology, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences was done.
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