Comprehensive management of epilepsy in onchocerciasis-endemic areas: lessons learnt from community-based surveys.
Community-based approach
Comprehensive management
Epilepsy
Onchocerciasis
Journal
Infectious diseases of poverty
ISSN: 2049-9957
Titre abrégé: Infect Dis Poverty
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101606645
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
10 Feb 2019
10 Feb 2019
Historique:
received:
19
06
2018
accepted:
23
01
2019
entrez:
11
2
2019
pubmed:
11
2
2019
medline:
23
3
2019
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
Onchocerciasis-endemic regions are known to have a high epilepsy prevalence. Limited resources in these areas and poor access to healthcare by persons with epilepsy (PWE) result in a wide anti-epileptic treatment gap, poor seizure control and a high burden of seizure-related complications. Recent community-based surveys highlight the need for epilepsy management strategies suitable for remote onchocerciasis-endemic villages to ensure better health outcomes for PWE. In this paper, we propose a feasible approach to manage PWE in such settings. Improved management of PWE in onchocerciasis-endemic areas may be achieved by decentralizing epilepsy care. Simplified approaches for the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy may be used by non-physicians, under the supervision of physicians or specialists. To reduce the treatment gap, a regular supply of subsidized anti-epileptic drugs (AED) appropriate for different types of onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy should be instituted. Setting up a community-based epilepsy surveillance system will enable early diagnosis and treatment of PWE thereby preventing complications. Community awareness programs on epilepsy must be implemented to reduce stigma and facilitate the social rehabilitation of PWE. Finally, strengthening onchocerciasis elimination programs by optimizing community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI) and considering alternative treatment strategies might reduce the incidence of epilepsy. A community-based approach with task-shifting of epilepsy care from specialists to non-physician health workers will reduce epilepsy-associated morbidity. Increased advocacy and collaboration with various stakeholders is needed to establish a sustainable, cost-effective chronic care model for epilepsy that will significantly improve the quality of life of PWE in onchocerciasis-endemic regions.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Onchocerciasis-endemic regions are known to have a high epilepsy prevalence. Limited resources in these areas and poor access to healthcare by persons with epilepsy (PWE) result in a wide anti-epileptic treatment gap, poor seizure control and a high burden of seizure-related complications. Recent community-based surveys highlight the need for epilepsy management strategies suitable for remote onchocerciasis-endemic villages to ensure better health outcomes for PWE. In this paper, we propose a feasible approach to manage PWE in such settings.
MAIN TEXT
METHODS
Improved management of PWE in onchocerciasis-endemic areas may be achieved by decentralizing epilepsy care. Simplified approaches for the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy may be used by non-physicians, under the supervision of physicians or specialists. To reduce the treatment gap, a regular supply of subsidized anti-epileptic drugs (AED) appropriate for different types of onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy should be instituted. Setting up a community-based epilepsy surveillance system will enable early diagnosis and treatment of PWE thereby preventing complications. Community awareness programs on epilepsy must be implemented to reduce stigma and facilitate the social rehabilitation of PWE. Finally, strengthening onchocerciasis elimination programs by optimizing community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI) and considering alternative treatment strategies might reduce the incidence of epilepsy.
CONCLUSIONS
CONCLUSIONS
A community-based approach with task-shifting of epilepsy care from specialists to non-physician health workers will reduce epilepsy-associated morbidity. Increased advocacy and collaboration with various stakeholders is needed to establish a sustainable, cost-effective chronic care model for epilepsy that will significantly improve the quality of life of PWE in onchocerciasis-endemic regions.
Identifiants
pubmed: 30738437
doi: 10.1186/s40249-019-0523-y
pii: 10.1186/s40249-019-0523-y
pmc: PMC6368958
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Review
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
11Subventions
Organisme : Medical Research Council
ID : MR/M025489/1
Pays : United Kingdom
Organisme : European Research Council
ID : 768815
Pays : International
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