Etiological Factors and Neuroimaging Correlations in Newly Diagnosed Epilepsy: A Comparative Study of Urban and Rural Populations

Objective: This study aims to explore the etiological factors and neuroimaging findings associated with newly diagnosed epilepsy in adult patients and to compare these factors between urban and rural populations. Understanding these differences is crucial for developing targeted diagnostic and management strategies. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 adult patients (>18 years) with newly diagnosed epilepsy at the Department of Neurology, Batra Hospital & Medical Research Centre, New Delhi. Data were collected on demographic characteristics, clinical evaluation, neuroimaging (MRI, CT), and etiological factors. Patients were categorized into urban and rural groups, and statistical analyses were performed to identify significant differences. Results: Among the 100 patients, 60 were from rural areas, and 40 were from urban areas. In rural patients, neurocysticercosis (NCC) was the most common etiology (40%), followed by cerebrovascular disease (20%). In urban patients, idiopathic epilepsy was most prevalent (35%), followed by cerebrovascular disease (25%). MRI findings revealed a higher prevalence of cortical malformations in urban patients (15%) compared to rural patients (5%). Significant correlations were observed between etiology and neuroimaging findings in both groups. Conclusion: The study highlights distinct etiological and neuroimaging profiles in urban and rural populations with newly diagnosed epilepsy. These findings suggest the need for region-specific diagnostic and management approaches to optimize patient outcomes.