"Why are there so many people?" - Seizures in the Canadian Arctic
Could annual dramatic shifts in day/night patterns in the Arctic have an effect on seizures? One researcher went looking for answers – and found more than he bargained for. His research revealed a public health crisis in one of the wealthiest countries in the world, highlighting the needs of geographically isolated communities and Indigenous peoples. (He also found intriguing results to his original question.)
Dr. Marcus Ng reviewed 11 years of data on emergency evacuations from the Kivalliq region of northern Canada.There, anyone who has seizures that last more than 5 minutes - an emergency condition known as status epilepticus - is helicoptered to a single hospital in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Dr. Ng wondered if the frequency of evacuations changed as the seasons changed. Were people more likely to have seizures in the 24-hour darkness of winter, the 24-hour daylight of summer, or somewhere in between?
He found that the people of the Kivalliq region had the highest reported incidence of status epilepticus in the world, far higher than Canada's overall estimates. His research also revealed the barriers to timely care faced by this population.
This episode was reported and produced by Nancy Volkers. Sharp Waves content is meant for informational purposes only and not as medical or clinical advice. The International League Against Epilepsy is the world's preeminent association of health professionals and scientists, working toward a world where no person's life is limited by epilepsy. Visit us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Studies mentioned or used as sources of information:
Status epilepticus in the Canadian Arctic: A public health imperative hidden in plain sight. Epilepsia Open 2021
Circannual incidence of seizure evacuations from the Canadian Arctic. Epilepsy & Behavior 2022
Incidence of the different stages of status epilepticus in Eastern Finland: A population-based study. Epilepsy & Behavior 2019
Addressing provider turnover to improve health outcomes in Nunavut. Canadian Medical Association Journal 2019
Contact ILAE with feedback or episode ideas at podcast@ilae.org
Sharp Waves episodes are meant for informational purposes only, and not as clinical or medical advice.
Let us know how we're doing: podcast@ilae.org.
The International League Against Epilepsy is the world's preeminent association of health professionals and scientists, working toward a world where no person's life is limited by epilepsy. Visit us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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