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CC BY 4.0 · Arq Neuropsiquiatr 2023; 81(01): 074-080
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1758647
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A systematic review of the epidemiology of epilepsy in Mexico during 1970 to 2020

Revision sistematica de la epidemiologia en Mexico de la epilepsia de 1970 a 2020
Gerardo Quiñones Pesqueira 
1   National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery Manuel Velasco Suárez, Department of Neurophysiology, Mexico City, Mexico.
,
Daniel San-Juan 
2   National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery Manuel Velasco Suárez, Epilepsy Service, Mexico City, Mexico.
,
Rosana Huerta Albarrán 
3   Hospital General de México Dr Eduardo Liceaga, Department of Neuropediatrics, Mexico City, Mexico.
,
Maximo Leon Vazquez 
4   Insituto Mexicano del Seguro Social Centro Médico Nacional La Raza, Department of Neuroscience, Mexico City, Mexico.
,
Gerardo Quiñones Canales 
5   Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado, Durango, Department of Neuroscience, Mexico.
,
Jorge Gonzalez Pesqueira 
6   University of Arizona, College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, United States.
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Abstract

Background Epilepsy is the most common major neurological disorder that affects people of all ages. The prevalence varies from one country to another and even between different areas, due to a lack of access to medical care for reasons related to limited resources.

Objective Epilepsy is a worldwide public health problem that affects more deeply populations living in developing countries such as Mexico, where more aggressive health policies based on epidemiological data are needed; however, this information is scarce and the evolution of this data over time remains unclear. The aim of the present study is to provide an overview of the epidemiology of epilepsy in Mexico from 1970 to 2020.

Methods We searched descriptive epidemiological studies on epilepsy in rural and urban regions of Mexico from 1970 to 2020. Available data on the sociodemographic characteristics, prevalence, and incidence data were extracted. Finally, the abstract, full-text review, and data abstraction were conducted in duplicate and reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Descriptive statistics was also used.

Results Overall, 11 underrepresented and heterogeneous epidemiological studies were included. In total, the prevalence of epilepsy in Mexico is 3.9 to 41:1,000 inhabitants; 3.9 to 41 per 1,000 persons in rural regions, and 3.49 to 44.3 per 1,000 persons in urban regions. None of these studies addressed the incidence of epilepsy. The prevalence of epilepsy in Mexico has remained unchanged during the last 5 decades.

Conclusions Our results confirm a high prevalence of epilepsy in both urban and rural settings in Mexico that remain unchanged during the last 5 decades. All studies included in the present review showed multiple methodological limitations. New and robust epidemiological studies are needed to delineate the epidemiological profile of epilepsy in Mexico.

Resumen

Antecedentes La epilepsia es el trastorno neurológico más común que afecta a individuos de todas las edades. La prevalencia varía entre paises e incluso entre diferentes áreas del mismo pais debido a la falta de acceso a la atención médica.

Objectivo La epilpesía es un problema de salud pública mundial que afecta de manera más importante a los países en desarrollo como México, donde hacen falta políticas en salud y datos epidemiológicos, para conocer el impacto real de esta enfermedad. El objetivo de este estudio es brindar una visión general de la epidemiología de la epilepsia en México (1970-2020).

Métodos Se realizo unas búsquedas bibliografica de estudios epidemiológicos descriptivos sobre epilepsia en regiones rurales y urbanas de México desde 1970 a 2020. Se extrajeron los datos disponibles sobre las características sociodemográficas, prevalencia e incidencia. Finalmente, el resumen, la revisión completa del texto y la extracción de datos se realizaron por duplicado y se informaron utilizando PRISMA. Se utilizo estadística descriptiva.

Resultados Se incluyeron 11 estudios epidemiológicos heterogeéneos. En total la prevalencia de epilepsia en México es 3.9-41: 1000 habitantes; 3,9 a 41 por 1000 personas en las regiones rurales y 3,49 a 44,3 por 1000 personas en las regiones urbanas. Ninguno de estos estudios abordó la incidencia de epilepsia. La prevalencia de la epilepsia en México se ha mantenido sin cambios durante las últimas cinco décadas.

Conclusiones Nuestros resultados confirman una alta prevalencia de epilepsia en las areas urbanas y rurales de México que se mantiene sin cambios durante las últimas cinco décadas. Todos los estudios incluidos en esta revisión mostraron múltiples limitaciones metodológicas. Se necesitan estudios epidemiológicos nuevos y sólidos para delinear el perfil epidemiológico de la epilepsia en México.

Keywords

Epilepsy - Epidemiology - Prevalence - Mexico - Rural Areas - Urban Area - Developing Countries

Palabras claves

Epilepsia - Epidemiología - Prevalencia - México - Medio Rural - Area Urbana - Países en Desarrollo

Authors' Contributions

All authors worked extensively on the manuscript, approved the present submitted version and critically reviewed the content; GQP, DSJ: conceived the idea for the article; GQP: wrote the manuscript.




Publication History

Received: 20 August 2021

Accepted: 09 January 2022

Article published online:
14 March 2023

© 2023. Academia Brasileira de Neurologia. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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