DEMOGRAPHIC, SOCIOECONOMIC, AND CLINICAL INSIGHTS INTO EPILEPTIC PATIENTS IN PAKISTAN: CHALLENGES AND TREATMENT PATTERNS

BACKGROUND: Epilepsy is the most common among many neurological disorders. Approximately 70 million people worldwide are impacted by it. It presents a unique challenge in low income countries like Pakistan with complexities in managing this syndrome is heightened by demographic, socioeconomic and clinical factors that shape the experience of these patients. OBJECTIVE: To assess the demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical characteristics of epileptic patients in Pakistan and to examine the prescription patterns of antiepileptic drugs. METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional study was conducted by the Department of Neurology at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad. The duration was six months (25/12/2022 to 26/6/2023). Data was collected from patient records. This study included the medical records of 100 admitted individuals within two and a half years. The patients' medical histories were reviewed, and Electroencephalography, Computed tomography, or Magnetic Resonance Imaging brain scans were studied. The study assessed the frequency of socioeconomic status, employment, education and drugs used by epileptic patients. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25. RESULTS: The study examined epilepsy patients in Pakistan, with a mean age of 33 years. Male patients constitute 72% of the cases. A significant portion (52%) were unemployed, and over half belonged to lower socioeconomic classes. Majority of the patients educational attainment was low, with only 2 patients holding a master’s degree. Most patients (52%) were unmarried. Clinically, the majority showed normal Electroencephalogram, Computed tomography, and Magnetic resonance imaging results. Valproate was the most commonly prescribed antiepileptic drug, while phenobarbitone and vigabatrin were the least used, highlighting treatment patterns within the population. CONCLUSION: The study highlights the demographic, social, and clinical challenges faced by epilepsy patients in Pakistan. Most patients were aged 20-30, with a mean age of 33. Many of them were unemployed, had limited education and a majority belonging to low socioeconomic class. The findings emphasize the need for improved social and medical support for patients living with epilepsy. KEYWORDS: epilepsy, People with epilepsy, unemployment, education