the Management of Epilepsy in Egypt

Epilepsy is a chronic brain disorder  that is marked by episodes of seizures. The prevalence of epilepsy is around 50 million people worldwide, per the World Health Organization (WHO) figures, and most (almost 80%) reside in low- and middle-income countries. Moreover, the premature mortality risk is almost threefold in persons with epilepsy (PWE) compared to the general public. The prevalence of epilepsy in Egypt was estimated to be 6.98/1000.

Establishing the definitive epilepsy diagnosis and detecting the root cause are challenging tasks, particularly where cultural constraints hinder disease acceptance.

One out of every five patients treated for epilepsy does not really have the disease. Further, the number of available anti-seizure medications (ASMs) has been notable in recent years, making the proper treatment choice more complex. According to the WHO data, proper diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy can provide seizure freedom for 70% of PWE. The remaining 30% presents a major challenge due to resistance and refractoriness to drugs. As in other parts of the world, inadequacies in the care of PWE, such as misdiagnosis, inappropriate medication, and sudden unexpected death, are all well recognized.

We sincerely hope this can be changed, which is now changing with the emergence of this nationwide consensus. With all the efforts that this initiative bears, it represents one of a series of efforts devoted to creating a significant impact on the health of Egyptians in recent years.

We believe implementing these structured recommendations will substantially improve the quality of care and treatment outcomes for PWE across all age groups (children and adults) in Egypt.