Demographics and Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Neurocysticercosis: A Retrospective Study from Dali, China

Han-Xiao Zhu; Yang-Chao Li; Xue-Ping Yang; Yu-Hao Chu; Wang Guo; Ruo-Xia Chen; Dan-Dan Guo; Li-Jing Cheng; Yun Li

doi:10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_298_23

Demographics and Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Neurocysticercosis: A Retrospective Study from Dali, China

Saudi J Med Med Sci. 2023 Oct-Dec;11(4):283-291. doi: 10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_298_23. Epub 2023 Oct 6.

Authors

Han-Xiao Zhu¹, Yang-Chao Li¹, Xue-Ping Yang², Yu-Hao Chu², Wang Guo², Ruo-Xia Chen², Dan-Dan Guo¹, Li-Jing Cheng¹, Yun Li¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dali University, Dali, Yunnan, China.
² Clinical Medical College, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan, China.

Abstract

Background: Neurocysticercosis (NCC), a predominant parasitic disease that affects the central nervous system and presents with diverse clinical manifestations, is a major contributor to acquired epilepsy worldwide, particularly in low-, middle-, and upper middle-income nations, such as China. In China, the Yunnan Province bears a significant burden of this disease.

Objective: To describe the demographic, clinical, and radiological features as well as serum and cerebrospinal fluid antibodies to cysticercus in patients with NCC from Dali, Yunnan Province, China.

Materials and methods: This retrospective study included patients who were diagnosed with NCC at The First Affiliated Hospital of Dali University between January 2018 and May 2023 and were residing in Dali, Yunnan Province, China.

Results: A total of 552 patients with NCC were included, of which 33.3% belonged to Bai ethnicity. The clinical presentation of NCC exhibited variability that was influenced by factors such as the number, location, and stage of the parasites. Epilepsy/seizure (49.9%) was the most prevalent symptom, with higher occurrence in the degenerative stage of cysts (P < 0.001). Compared with other locations, cysticerci located in the brain parenchyma are more likely to lead to seizures/epilepsy (OR = 17.45, 95% CI: 7.96-38.25) and headaches (OR = 3.02, 95% CI: 1.23-7.41). Seizures/epilepsy are more likely in patients with cysts in the vesicular (OR = 2.71, 95% CI: 1.12-6.61) and degenerative (OR = 102.38, 95% CI: 28.36-369.60) stages than those in the calcified stage. Seizures was not dependent on the number of lesions. All NCC patients underwent anthelminthic therapy, with the majority receiving albendazole (79.7%).

Conclusion: This study provides valuable clinical insights into NCC patients in Dali and underscores the significance of NCC as a leading preventable cause of epilepsy.

Keywords: Acquired epilepsy; China; Taenia; cysticercus; demographics; epidemiology; epilepsy; neurocysticercosis; seizure.