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Prevalence of epilepsy in Hong Kong

Hong Kong Med J 2003;9:252-257

The prevalence rate of epilepsy in Hong Kong Chinese population is found to be low, compared to other countries, according to a study by Queen Mary Hospital. It is argued that, however, such figures might reflect inadequate attention paid to the disease in Hong Kong. Detail results of the study are published in the new issue Hong Kong Medical Journal.

The study was conducted by the epilepsy clinic of Queen Mary Hospital, which manages the majority of adult patients (15 years or older) with chronic seizure disorders resident in the Hong Kong west area.
736 patients of epilepsy were enrolled to the study. The derived prevalence rate of active epilepsy was 1.54 per 1000, which is low compared to those reported in other countries (2.7 to 41.3 per 1000). Among the enrolled patients, 43% were females and 57% were males. 4% of the patients reported a history of seizure disorders in family members.

It is noticeable, however, that the reported figure might be an underestimation, because some patients might be unaware of their condition. Some other patients were unwilling to seek medical care, due to concern about possible prejudices towards people with epilepsy. A population-based prevalence study is indicated.

Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder. It is the most common neurological disease worldwide, and the second most common neurological disease in the developed world second to stroke. It is estimated that 45 to 100 million people suffer from active epilepsy.

A recent case-control study on type 2 diabetes patients shows that use of dexfenfluramine, an anti-obesity drug, is associated with heart-valve regurgitation. The research results are reported in the August issue Hong Kong Medical Journal.

The study involved 36 obese Chinese patients (10 males and 26 females) with type 2 diabetes and a history of dexfenfluramine use. Co-existing type 2 diabetes in an obese patient is one of the major indications for considering anti-obesity drug therapy. Another group of 43 age- and sex-matched patients of type 2 diabetes were recruited as controls.

Examination revealed that subjects with a history of dexfenfluramine use had higher rates of significant aortic regurgitation, tricuspid regurgitation, and of any valvular regurgitation regardless of age, sex and body mass index etc.

Similar appetite-suppressant drugs, such as fenfluramine etc, have been proven related to higher risk off heart-valve regurgitation, and are banned from the market.