Abstract BACKGROUND: Stroke is a major health problem in developing countries. In a previous survey, the prevalence rate of stroke in the Nile Valley governorate of Assiut was significantly higher than other Arabic countries. In view of this, we carried out a follow-up study in a second Nile Valley governorate (Qena). METHODS: A community-based, three-phase, door-to-door study with random sampling of 10 areas in Qena governorate (first phase), involving 8027 inhabitant with 4172 males (51.97%) and 3855 females (48.03%). There were 4427 urban residents (55.15%) and 3600 residents (44.85%) from the rural community. In the second phase, participants were screened using the questionnaire for stroke, whereas the third phase involved neurologic evaluation of all suspected cases, with diagnosis of stroke confirmed by evaluation of computed tomography (CT) scans. The Mini Mental State Examination and National Institute of Health Stroke Scale were evaluated for each patient. RESULTS: Of the 8027 participants, 74 were identified as positive cases with a crude prevalence rate 922 of 100,000, an age-adjusted local prevalence rate of 777 of 100,000 and an age-adjusted prevalence rate of Egyptian population 566.6 of 100,000. The highest age-specific prevalence rates were recorded among subjects 70 years of age or older (8,392 of 100,000). The crude prevalence rate of ischemic stroke was significantly higher than that of hemorrhagic stroke (797 vs 125 of 100,000). Illiterate participants had a significantly higher crude prevalence rate than those who were literate (3567 vs 704 of 100,000). There was no significant difference in the prevalence rate between rural and urban areas or between males and females. Fifty patients (67.57%) had 1 or more risk factors of stroke, with hypertension being the most common (62.16%), followed by diabetes mellitus (36.49%). CONCLUSIONS: The overall prevalence rate of stroke is nearly the same as in other Egyptian governorates and is higher than other Arabic countries.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Stroke is a major health problem in developing countries. In a previous survey, the prevalence rate of stroke in the Nile Valley governorate of Assiut was significantly higher than other Arabic countries. In view of this, we carried out a follow-up study in a second Nile Valley governorate (Qena). METHODS: A community-based, three-phase, door-to-door study with random sampling of 10 areas in Qena governorate (first phase), involving 8027 inhabitant with 4172 males (51.97%) and 3855 females (48.03%). There were 4427 urban residents (55.15%) and 3600 residents (44.85%) from the rural community. In the second phase, participants were screened using the questionnaire for stroke, whereas the third phase involved neurologic evaluation of all suspected cases, with diagnosis of stroke confirmed by evaluation of computed tomography (CT) scans. The Mini Mental State Examination and National Institute of Health Stroke Scale were evaluated for each patient. RESULTS: Of the 8027 participants, 74 were identified as positive cases with a crude prevalence rate 922 of 100,000, an age-adjusted local prevalence rate of 777 of 100,000 and an age-adjusted prevalence rate of Egyptian population 566.6 of 100,000. The highest age-specific prevalence rates were recorded among subjects 70 years of age or older (8,392 of 100,000). The crude prevalence rate of ischemic stroke was significantly higher than that of hemorrhagic stroke (797 vs 125 of 100,000). Illiterate participants had a significantly higher crude prevalence rate than those who were literate (3567 vs 704 of 100,000). There was no significant difference in the prevalence rate between rural and urban areas or between males and females. Fifty patients (67.57%) had 1 or more risk factors of stroke, with hypertension being the most common (62.16%), followed by diabetes mellitus (36.49%). CONCLUSIONS: The overall prevalence rate of stroke is nearly the same as in other Egyptian governorates and is higher than other Arabic countries.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Stroke is a major health problem in developing countries. In a previous survey, the prevalence rate of stroke in the Nile Valley governorate of Assiut was significantly higher than other Arabic countries. In view of this, we carried out a follow-up study in a second Nile Valley governorate (Qena). METHODS: A community-based, three-phase, door-to-door study with random sampling of 10 areas in Qena governorate (first phase), involving 8027 inhabitant with 4172 males (51.97%) and 3855 females (48.03%). There were 4427 urban residents (55.15%) and 3600 residents (44.85%) from the rural community. In the second phase, participants were screened using the questionnaire for stroke, whereas the third phase involved neurologic evaluation of all suspected cases, with diagnosis of stroke confirmed by evaluation of computed tomography (CT) scans. The Mini Mental State Examination and National Institute of Health Stroke Scale were evaluated for each patient. RESULTS: Of the 8027 participants, 74 were identified as positive cases with a crude prevalence rate 922 of 100,000, an age-adjusted local prevalence rate of 777 of 100,000 and an age-adjusted prevalence rate of Egyptian population 566.6 of 100,000. The highest age-specific prevalence rates were recorded among subjects 70 years of age or older (8,392 of 100,000). The crude prevalence rate of ischemic stroke was significantly higher than that of hemorrhagic stroke (797 vs 125 of 100,000). Illiterate participants had a significantly higher crude prevalence rate than those who were literate (3567 vs 704 of 100,000). There was no significant difference in the prevalence rate between rural and urban areas or between males and females. Fifty patients (67.57%) had 1 or more risk factors of stroke, with hypertension being the most common (62.16%), followed by diabetes mellitus (36.49%). CONCLUSIONS: The overall prevalence rate of stroke is nearly the same as in other Egyptian governorates and is higher than other Arabic countries.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Existing treatments for adults with anorexia nervosa (AN) have limited proven efficacy. New treatments that have been suggested involve targeted, brain-directed interventions such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). We describe findings from seven individuals with treatment-resistant AN who received 10 sessions of anodal tDCS, over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). MATERIAL AND METHOD: In this open-label, single-arm study, seven patients received anodal tDCS (2mA) for 25 minutes over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex daily for ten days. Assessments pre-tDCS, post-tDCS and one month later included the Eating Attitude Test (EAT), Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). RESULTS: Three patients improved in all three rating scales immediately after the treatment sessions and one month later. Two patients showed improvement at the end of treatment but returned to the baseline after one month. One subject improved only on the BDI scale but not eating scales. The scores in the three rating scales were unaffected by treatment in the remaining patient. There was a significant effect of time (pre, post and 1 month later) on the three rating scores; BDI (P = 0.016), EDI (P = 0.018) and EAT (P = 0.016) and a significant correlation between the percent improvement of BDI and EAT (p = 0.01), and between BDI and EDI (P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that tDCS has potential as an adjuvant treatment for AN and deserves further study.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Existing treatments for adults with anorexia nervosa (AN) have limited proven efficacy. New treatments that have been suggested involve targeted, brain-directed interventions such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). We describe findings from seven individuals with treatment-resistant AN who received 10 sessions of anodal tDCS, over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). MATERIAL AND METHOD: In this open-label, single-arm study, seven patients received anodal tDCS (2mA) for 25 minutes over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex daily for ten days. Assessments pre-tDCS, post-tDCS and one month later included the Eating Attitude Test (EAT), Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). RESULTS: Three patients improved in all three rating scales immediately after the treatment sessions and one month later. Two patients showed improvement at the end of treatment but returned to the baseline after one month. One subject improved only on the BDI scale but not eating scales. The scores in the three rating scales were unaffected by treatment in the remaining patient. There was a significant effect of time (pre, post and 1 month later) on the three rating scores; BDI (P = 0.016), EDI (P = 0.018) and EAT (P = 0.016) and a significant correlation between the percent improvement of BDI and EAT (p = 0.01), and between BDI and EDI (P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that tDCS has potential as an adjuvant treatment for AN and deserves further study.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Existing treatments for adults with anorexia nervosa (AN) have limited proven efficacy. New treatments that have been suggested involve targeted, brain-directed interventions such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). We describe findings from seven individuals with treatment-resistant AN who received 10 sessions of anodal tDCS, over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). MATERIAL AND METHOD: In this open-label, single-arm study, seven patients received anodal tDCS (2mA) for 25 minutes over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex daily for ten days. Assessments pre-tDCS, post-tDCS and one month later included the Eating Attitude Test (EAT), Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). RESULTS: Three patients improved in all three rating scales immediately after the treatment sessions and one month later. Two patients showed improvement at the end of treatment but returned to the baseline after one month. One subject improved only on the BDI scale but not eating scales. The scores in the three rating scales were unaffected by treatment in the remaining patient. There was a significant effect of time (pre, post and 1 month later) on the three rating scores; BDI (P = 0.016), EDI (P = 0.018) and EAT (P = 0.016) and a significant correlation between the percent improvement of BDI and EAT (p = 0.01), and between BDI and EDI (P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that tDCS has potential as an adjuvant treatment for AN and deserves further study.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Existing treatments for adults with anorexia nervosa (AN) have limited proven efficacy. New treatments that have been suggested involve targeted, brain-directed interventions such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). We describe findings from seven individuals with treatment-resistant AN who received 10 sessions of anodal tDCS, over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). MATERIAL AND METHOD: In this open-label, single-arm study, seven patients received anodal tDCS (2mA) for 25 minutes over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex daily for ten days. Assessments pre-tDCS, post-tDCS and one month later included the Eating Attitude Test (EAT), Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). RESULTS: Three patients improved in all three rating scales immediately after the treatment sessions and one month later. Two patients showed improvement at the end of treatment but returned to the baseline after one month. One subject improved only on the BDI scale but not eating scales. The scores in the three rating scales were unaffected by treatment in the remaining patient. There was a significant effect of time (pre, post and 1 month later) on the three rating scores; BDI (P = 0.016), EDI (P = 0.018) and EAT (P = 0.016) and a significant correlation between the percent improvement of BDI and EAT (p = 0.01), and between BDI and EDI (P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that tDCS has potential as an adjuvant treatment for AN and deserves further study.

Background: The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of different types of epilepsy and their possible risk factors in the region of the Assiut Governorate/Egypt. Material and methods: A community based study with random sampling of 7 districts, involving 6498 inhabitants. Out of this sample, 578 dropped out leaving 3066 males (51.8%) and 2854 females (48.2%). There were 3660 (61.8%) urban residents and 2260 (38.2%) from the rural community. Patients were evaluated using a screening questionnaire for epilepsy, and then referred to the hospital to be re-evaluated by a qualified neurologist and with electroencephalography (EEG) and computed tomography of the brain (CT). Results: Seventy-five cases were diagnosed with epilepsy giving an overall the crude lifetime prevalence rate (CPR) for epilepsy of 12.67/1000 (95% CI: 9.8—15.54). The active prevalence rate was 9.3/1000 and the incidence rate was 1.5/1000 (95% confidence interval: 0.53—2.51). Fifty-six cases (75%) had idiopathic epilepsy (CPR 9.5/1000). Symptomatic epilepsy was recorded in 19 (25%) cases (CPR 3.2/1000). Generalized seizures were more common (CPR 6.75/1000) than partial seizures (CPR 2.5/1000). The prevalence rate of partial seizures evolving to secondary generalization was 0.84/1000 while simple partial and complex partial seizures had CPR 1.4/1000 and 0.34/1000, respectively. The CPR of mixed seizures was 0.17/1000. Epilepsy was slightly but not significantly more common among males than females (CPR of 14.4 and 10.9 per 1000 population, respectively). The CPR was higher in rural than urban populations (17.7/1000, with 95% CI 12.2—23.18 and 9.56/1000, with 95% CI: 6.39—12.7, respectively) and in the illiterate group than the literate population (12.02/1000 and 9.94/1000, respectively). The highest prevalence rate was recorded in the early and late childhood period (69.78/100,000 and 43.78/100,000, respectively). Prenatal insults and infection represented major causes of symptomatic epilepsy.