Clinical and demografhical characteristics of people with epileptic crisis coming from a cysticercoses and taeniasis endemic area in Bahia state (Abstract)*. Dissertation. Salvador, 2003

Abstract

Epilepsy is frequent all over the world, occurring independent of gender, age, race or social status. The highest prevalence rates occur in countries under development and are due to infectious parasitic diseases, like cysticercosis. Neurocysticercosis is the main cause of secondary epilepsy in the world because of its high prevalence in regions with precarious sanitary infrastructure. The study of epileptic crisis in poor communities, with inadequate medical care and poor access to medication, allowed the analysis of a clinical evolution close to the disease´s natural history. Besides, it represents the local community´s reality and eliminates selection bias, different from studies conducted in reference centers.