Epidemiological studies suggest a link between
onchocerciasis and various forms of
epilepsy, including
nodding syndrome (NS). The aetiopathology of
onchocerciasis associated
epilepsy remains unknown. This case-control study investigated potential risk factors that may lead to NS and other forms of non-nodding
epilepsy (OFE) in northern Uganda. We consecutively recruited 154 persons with NS (aged between 8 and 20 years), and age-frequency matched them with 154 with OFE and 154 healthy community controls. Participants' socio-demography, medical, family, and migration histories were recorded. We tested participants for O.
volvulus serum
antibodies. The 154 controls were used for both OFE and NS separately to determine associations. We recruited 462 people with a median age of 15 years (IQR 14, 17); 260 (56.4%) were males. Independent risk factors associated with the development of NS were the presence of O.
volvulus antibodies [aOR 8.79, 95% CI (4.15-18.65), p-value < 0.001] and
preterm birth [aOR 2.54, 95% CI (1.02-6.33), p-value = 0.046]. Risk factors for developing OFE were the presence of O.
volvulus antibodies [aOR 8.83, 95% CI (4.48-17.86), p-value < 0.001] and being born in the period before migration to
IDP camps [aOR 4.28, 95% CI (1.20-15.15), p-value = 0.024]. In conclusion, O.
volvulus seropositivity was a risk factor to develop NS and OFE;
premature birth was a potential co-factor. Living in
IDP camps was not a risk factor for developing NS or OFE.