Seizure control and its associated factors among epileptic patients at Neurology Clinic, University of Gondar hospital, Northwest Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Epilepsy is characterized by two or more unprovoked recurrent seizures, which often respond to available antiseizure medications. However, seizure control among epileptic patients in the developing world is low. Factors determining seizure control among epileptic patients were not evidently explored in the study setting. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the magnitude of uncontrolled seizures and associated factors among epileptic patients at the University of Gondar hospital. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Gondar hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. A convenience sampling method was used to recruit study subjects. Controlled seizure was defined as seizure freedom for the past 1 year. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with seizure control. A p-value < 0.05 was used to declare a significant association. RESULTS: A total of 320 study subjects were included in the study. The mean (±SD) age of patients was 27.5 ± 7.6 years. More than half (182/320, 57%) of epileptic patients had uncontrolled seizures. Five or more pretreatment seizure episodes (adjusted odds ratio = 3.98, 95% confidence interval: 1.81–8.75, p = 0.001), less than 2 years on anti-seizure medications (adjusted odds ratio = 8.64, 95% confidence interval: 3.27–22.85, p < 0.001), taking 2 or more ASMs (adjusted odds ratio = 2.48, 95% confidence interval: 1.23–5.02, p = 0.011), poor adherence to ASMs (adjusted odds ratio = 9.37, 95% confidence interval: 4.04–21.75, p < 0.001), and living at a single trip distance from hospital equaled 1 h or more (adjusted odds ratio = 4.20, 95% confidence interval: 2.11–8.41, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with uncontrolled seizures. CONCLUSION: The dose of a preferred anti-seizure medication should be optimized before combinations of anti-seizure medications are used. Adherence to anti-seizure medications should be reinforced for better seizure control. Epilepsy care should be integrated into primary health care services in the catchment region.