NewsDetail
Doha, 3 March 2013: Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), one of seven partners in the Academic Health System (AHS) in Qatar, held a lecture about current research to advance healthcare for people living with epilepsy. In addition to this lecture, activities focusing on epilepsy include the recent annual Qatar Neurological Symposium and a program of awareness with HMC Emergency Department staff and first responders about how to provide the best, safest care for people with seizures.
The lecture was delivered by Dr. Ettore Beghi, an international expert clinician and researcher, and Head of the Laboratory of Neurological Disorders at the Mario Negri Institute in Milan, Italy. “Epilepsy is a very common clinical condition that is unfortunately associated with social stigma. This stigma has made it difficult to identify all cases,” said Dr. Beghi. He emphasized the importance of public health studies in building the knowledge about epilepsy and enhancing the management of this condition.
Dr. Beghi explained with proper medication, epilepsy can be controlled and people with this condition can live normal lives. “An important message for people diagnosed with epilepsy is to be aware effective treatment is available and many patients who have received the right treatment are able to control this condition and lead full lives,” he said.
Epilepsy is a chronic disorder characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures. It is the third most common neurological condition worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, 65 million people are living with epilepsy.
“About 2,000 cases of epilepsy are treated yearly at HMC,” said Dr. Boulenouar Mesraoua, Senior Consultant Neurologist at HMC. “Inherited epilepsy constitutes over 10 percent of these cases, while those with unknown cause account for between 40 and 50 percent. There are also cases of symptomatic epilepsy which may be due to road accidents, infection or stroke and cardiovascular issues in elderly people.”
Currently there is limited population data on the incidence of epilepsy available in the Middle East; there are plans for data gathering to support research studies. Clinical experts have indicated the incidence of this condition in Qatar is expected to increase significantly within the next 20 to 30 years.
“We have an ongoing research study funded by the Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF) that explores the non-convulsive form of status epilepticus, a potentially life-threatening condition in which the brain is in a state of persistent seizure. We also have plans for a large epidemiological study in Qatar,” said Dr. Dirk Deleu, Senior Consultant Neurologist and Head of Neurology and Neurophysiology at HMC.
The research study on non-convulsive status epilepticus is led by Dr. Mesraoua, Chairperson of the recently concluded eighth Qatar Neurology Symposium, which brought together experts on epilepsy and other neurological conditions; this supports the ongoing development of regional knowledge and expertise in this area.
In addition to hosting the symposium and lectures about research into epilepsy, AHS partners are engaging in a range of specialist training to promote best-practice and inter-professional knowledge sharing. These activities are designed to raise awareness among clinical staff about the best care for people living with epilepsy.
These initiatives are key aspects contributing to the Neurosciences Institute which is in development and being delivered in line with the AHS strategy. The Institute will offer several Centers of Excellence, among these will be a comprehensive epilepsy center providing specialized care for people living with epilepsy, as well as supporting education and research on this condition.
The Academic Health System is working to establish a Neurosciences Institute that will work towards learning about effective treatments for neurological and related conditions. There are plans for the Institute to work with epilepsy centers worldwide for information exchange and shared knowledge to support research activities.
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Corporate Communications Department
Hamad Medical Corporation
