Risk factors that determine the response to the treatment of neurocysticercosis

Neurocysticercosis (NC) causes serious symptoms such as headache, epilepsy, dementia, hydrocephalus and, in some cases, death. The NC has been widely studied in the last two decades, however the problem persists with the same magnitude, so it is essential to investigate this disease with a different research approach. Antihelmintic drugs (albendazole) accelerate the death of cysticercos located in the brain in ~ 30% of patients, while in most it does not cause any effect. The purpose of this study is to identify which are the possible fr that determine these differences. It is an analytical, observational study, cases and controls. The sample will consist of the 151 patients of the previous project, divided into: 1- Group of cases, who received Albendazol; 2- Control Group, who received placebo. Information about the following risk factors will be obtained from the two groups: - Environmental exposure factors (demographic, hygienic, dietary, lifestyles). - Clinical and socio-economic factors. - Immunogenetic factors: a blood sample will be taken to extract the DNA to the 151 patients and then the study of the genetic pattern of the HLA system (human leukocyte antigen) will be carried out. The Chi Square test will be used to test the null hypothesis that the FR are not related to the efficacy of the treatment. To estimate the magnitude of the association, the ODDS ratio will be used with a 95%confidence interval. The analysis of confusing variables will be evaluated by means of the Metal-Haenszel method, and the logistics regression analysis for multivariate analysis. The risk of crisis recurrence will be analyzed through Kaplan-Meier's life tables. The identification of FR of the NC will allow to establish measures to reduce the social and economic burden that this disease represents throughout the world and reduce its frequency. Potentially the factors that would allow a better efficacy of DAH treatment could be modified.