Disease progression and survival in ALS: first multi-state model approach.

Although several prognostic factors have been identified in ALS, there remains some discordance concerning the prognostic significance of the age and clinical form at onset. In order to clarify these findings, we have analysed already known prognostic factors using a multi-state model. Two hundred and twenty-two sporadic ALS patients were followed.

Link between epilepsy and malnutrition in a rural area of Benin.

Purpose: Epilepsy and malnutrition are both important public health problems in sub-Saharan Africa. A relationship between epilepsy and malnutrition has been suspected for many years. Our objective was to investigate the association between epilepsy and malnutrition in Djidja, Benin.

Epilepsy as a consequence of cerebral malaria in area in which malaria is endemic in Mali, West Africa.

Purpose: Cerebral malaria (CM) is suspected to be a potential cause of epilepsy in tropical areas, but little information is available. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of CM in epilepsy among children in Mali.

Methods: An exposed-nonexposed study was performed to identify children who had epilepsy after malaria in the 0- to 15-year age group.

Quality of phenobarbital solid-dosage forms in the urban community of Nouakchott (Mauritania).

Purpose: Epilepsy is a major public-health problem in Africa. The quality of available drugs is a limiting factor for an adequate management. The aim of this study was to describe the proportion of poor-quality phenobarbital (PB) solid-dosage forms and evaluate the factors associated with its quality in Nouakchott (Mauritania).

Epidemiology and aetiology of epilepsy in sub-Saharan Africa.

Data on the incidence of and prognosis for epilepsy in sub-Saharan Africa are scarce, but prevalence data show that epilepsy is two or three times more common than in industrialised countries in non-tropical areas. The high prevalence of epilepsy and low life expectancy indicate that incidence is high. Relative contributions of each cause of epilepsy are difficult to determine.

Economic evaluation of epilepsy in Kiremba (Burundi): a case-control study.

Purpose: Epilepsy is a common disease whose prevalence across Africa is extremely variable (from 5 to 74 per thousand ). Its social and economic consequences in this continent are not well established. The objective of this study was to compare the cost of care of patients with epilepsy with that of controls in the commune of Kiremba in Burundi.

Review of epidemiological studies searching for a relationship between onchocerciasis and epilepsy.

A review and a meta-analysis of the available epidemiological literature for evidence of an association between onchocerciasis infection and epilepsy were carried out. We used EMBASE (1974-2002), MEDLINE (1966-2002), and PASCAL (1987-2002) databases and relevant journals and bibliographies. We limited our analysis to the epidemiological studies, where the status regarding onchocerciasis infection and epilepsy was available for each subject.

Cysticercosis as a major risk factor for epilepsy in Burundi, east Africa.

Purpose: Human cysticercosis is a direct consequence of infection by Taenia solium larvae (Cysticercus cellulosae). Results of studies on the impact of neurocysticercosis on epilepsy in Africa are inconsistent. The objective was to evaluate the role of cysticercosis in epilepsy in Burundi.