Treatment Outcome of Epilepsy and Associated Factors among Pediatric Patients at Selected Hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Date
2023
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: Anti-seizure medications (ASMs) are the mainstay for achieving remission in
patients with epilepsy. A successful therapy using anti-seizure medications can eliminate or
reduce symptoms, and leads to freedom of seizures.
Objective: To assess treatment outcome of epilepsy and associated factors among pediatric
patients at selected hospitals.
Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 pediatric patients
with epilepsy at selected hospitals. Data were collected by interviewing and reviewing the
medical records of the patients using semi-structured questionnaires. Data were entered into Epi
data version 4.6.6 then analyzed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics were used to
present the results. Logistic regression was used to determine the relationship between
independent and dependent variables and p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Result: Males account 64.3% of the 300 patients. The mean age of patients was 8.2 ±4.2 years.
The most common type of seizure (66%) was a generalized seizure followed by a mixed seizure
(13.3%). Monotherapy was commonly 64.3% used in the management of seizures, with
phenytoin being used in the majority (47.7%) of patients. The current study revealed that 62.3%
of patients had an uncontrolled seizure. No statistically significant relationship was found
between seizure control and serum level of antiseizure medications, Χ2 (df=1 N=58) P= 0.920.
Female gender (AOR= 0.515, 95% CI: 0.285-0.931, P=0.028), primary education of caregivers
(AOR=0.436, 95% CI: 0.192-0.99, P=0.047), and family history of epilepsy (AOR=0.363, 95%
CI: 0.153-0.857, P=0.021) decreased odds of uncontrolled seizures. Seizure-triggers (AOR=3.63,
95% CI: 1.99-6.614, P<0.001), and polytherapy with anti-seizure medications (AOR=6.79, 95%
CI: 3.221-14.311, P<0.001) increased odds of uncontrolled seizures.
Conclusion: The finding of this study indicates that seizure control status among pediatrics was
poor. Thus, Parents of children, health care providers and other concerned bodies should focus
on factors that are associated with uncontrolled seizures, particularly polytheray with antiseizure
medications, and seizure triggers.
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Keywords
Anti-seizure Medications, Epilepsy, Treatment outcome, Pediatrics