Evaluation Of The Efficacy Of Phenobarbital In Treatment Of Epilepsy In Rural Areas: Study Of 1229 Patients In Rural Area Of Sichuan Province In China

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of phenobarbital in treatment of patientswith convulsive forms of epilepsy in rural areas of Sichuan province inChina.Method: Epidemiological investigation of the prevalence and treatment gapof epilepsy was carried out in the rural areas of 4 countries from Sichuanprovince in China. Patients with convulsive forms of epilepsy were screenedout and then underwent treatment of Phenobarbital. Physicians of townshiphospitals received short-term training to be in charge of the treatment andregular follow-up of the patients.Results: The study enrolled 1229 patients with generalized tonic-clonicseizures in these 4 countries. 74.50% of the patients were seizure free at theend of the year. 313 patients (83.87%) had their seizure frequencies decreasedby＞75% as compared with those during the period of 1 year beforetreatment. The daily dosages of phenobarbital ranged from 0～240 mg/day, and60～150 mg/day is the most common case, accounting for 92.1%. Medicationwas well tolerated and reported adverse effect was mild. 386 patientswithdrew with various reasons at the end of one year's research.Conclusion: Physicians with basic training were capable to give appropriate treatment with phenobarbital, and the effectiveness and safety ofphenobarbital were further confirmed. This epilepsy control programme isextremely practical and significant for epileptic patients in rural China andshould be proceeded and developed.