Consanguinity and Epilepsy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: A Demographic Analysis

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between consanguineous parenthood and the prevalence and features of epilepsy in those who have it.

Materials & Methods: A cross-sectional study of 541 epileptic patients was carried out. A standardized form was used to collect data on demographics, parental consanguinity, marital status, clinical features (EEG, MRI, and CT scan results), therapy methods, and geographic location. The chi-square test was used to investigate the link between consanguinity and other risk variables.

Results: Of the 541 participants included in the study, 58.78% (n=318) were male, and 41.22% (n=223) were female. As far as parental consanguinity was concerned, 54.71% (296) said that their parents were cousins, while 45.29% (245) said theirs were not cousins. Consanguinity did not show any statistically significant associations with gender, marital status, abnormal EEG, or availability of diagnostic imaging (p > 0.05 for all). The most often prescribed medication was Epival (43.4%), followed by Tegral (8.85%). Most patients came from Peshawar (18.9%) and the surrounding areas.

Conclusion: Consanguineous marriage was common among families with epileptic patients, but there was no obvious statistical association with specific clinical characteristics. However, the high family clustering of epilepsy and limited access to diagnosis highlight the need for genetic counseling, improved diagnostic instruments, and additional research into inherited risk factors.

Keywords: Epilepsy, parental consanguinity, consanguineous marriages, genetic predisposition to disease, Hereditary disorders, Seizures.