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Beghi E, Giussani G, Costa C, DiFrancesco JC, Dhakar M, Leppik I, Kwan P, Akamatsu N, Cretin B, O'Dwyer R, Kraemer G, Piccenna L, Faught E. The epidemiology of epilepsy in older adults: A narrative review by the ILAE Task Force on Epilepsy in the Elderly. Epilepsia 2023; 64:586-601. [PMID: 36625133 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
In an aging world, it is important to know the burden of epilepsy affecting populations of older persons. We performed a selective review of epidemiological studies that we considered to be most informative, trying to include data from all parts of the world. We emphasized primary reports rather than review articles. We reviewed studies reporting the incidence and prevalence of epilepsy that focused on an older population as well as studies that included a wider age range if older persons were tabulated as a subgroup. There is strong evidence that persons older than approximately 60 years incur an increasing risk of both acute symptomatic seizures and epilepsy. In wealthier countries, the incidence of epilepsy increases sharply after age 60 or 65 years. This phenomenon was not always observed among reports from populations with lower socioeconomic status. This discrepancy may reflect differences in etiologies, methods of ascertainment, or distribution of ages; this is an area for more research. We identified other areas for which there are inadequate data. Incidence data are scarcer than prevalence data and are missing for large areas of the world. Prevalence is lower than would be expected from cumulative incidence, possibly because of remissions, excess mortality, or misdiagnosis of acute symptomatic seizures as epilepsy. Segmentation by age, frailty, and comorbidities is desirable, because "epilepsy in the elderly" is otherwise too broad a concept. Data are needed on rates of status epilepticus and drug-resistant epilepsy using the newer definitions. Many more data are needed from low-income populations and from developing countries. Greater awareness of the high rates of seizures among older adults should lead to more focused diagnostic efforts for individuals. Accurate data on epilepsy among older adults should drive proper allocation of treatments for individuals and resources for societies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ettore Beghi
- Laboratory of Neurological Disorders, Department of Neuroscience, Mario Negri Institute of Pharmacological Research, Scientific Institute for Research and Health Care, Milan, Italy
| | - Giorgia Giussani
- Laboratory of Neurological Disorders, Department of Neuroscience, Mario Negri Institute of Pharmacological Research, Scientific Institute for Research and Health Care, Milan, Italy
| | - Cinzia Costa
- Section of Neurology, Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Jacopo C DiFrancesco
- Department of Neurology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Caraterre Scientifico, San Gerardo Foundation, University of Milan-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Monica Dhakar
- Department of Neurology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Ilo Leppik
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Patrick Kwan
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Naoki Akamatsu
- Division of Neurology, Neuroscience Center, Fukuoka Samo Hospital, International University of Health and Welfare, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Benjamin Cretin
- Neuropsychology Unit, Department of Neurology of the University Hospitals of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Rebecca O'Dwyer
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush Medical College, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | | | - Loretta Piccenna
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Neurology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Edward Faught
- Department of Neurology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Wie viele Patienten mit Epilepsie gibt es in Deutschland, und wer behandelt sie? ZEITSCHRIFT FÜR EPILEPTOLOGIE 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10309-020-00334-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Epilepsy and aging. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2020. [PMID: 31753149 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-804766-8.00025-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
The intersection of epilepsy and aging has broad, significant implications. Substantial increases in seizures occur both in the elderly population, who are at a higher risk of developing new-onset epilepsy, and in those with chronic epilepsy who become aged. There are notable gaps in our understanding of aging and epilepsy at the basic and practical levels, which have important consequences. We are in the early stages of understanding the complex relationships between epilepsy and other age-related brain diseases such as stroke, dementia, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and cancer. Furthermore, the clinician must recognize that the presentation and treatment of epilepsy in the elderly are different from those of younger populations. Given the developing awareness of the problem and the capabilities of contemporary, multidisciplinary approaches to advance understanding about the biology of aging and epilepsy, it is reasonable to expect that we will unravel some of the intricacies of epilepsy in the elderly; it is also reasonable to expect that these gains will lead to further improvements in our understanding and treatment of epilepsy for all age groups.
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Vaughan KA, Lopez Ramos C, Buch VP, Mekary RA, Amundson JR, Shah M, Rattani A, Dewan MC, Park KB. An estimation of global volume of surgically treatable epilepsy based on a systematic review and meta-analysis of epilepsy. J Neurosurg 2019; 130:1127-1141. [PMID: 30215556 DOI: 10.3171/2018.3.jns171722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2017] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders, yet its global surgical burden has yet to be characterized. The authors sought to compile the most current epidemiological data to quantify global prevalence and incidence, and estimate global surgically treatable epilepsy. Understanding regional and global epilepsy trends and potential surgical volume is crucial for future policy efforts and resource allocation. METHODS The authors performed a systematic literature review and meta-analysis to determine the global incidence, lifetime prevalence, and active prevalence of epilepsy; to estimate surgically treatable epilepsy volume; and to evaluate regional trends by WHO regions and World Bank income levels. Data were extracted from all population-based studies with prespecified methodological quality across all countries and demographics, performed between 1990 and 2016 and indexed on PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane. The current and annual new case volumes for surgically treatable epilepsy were derived from global epilepsy prevalence and incidence. RESULTS This systematic review yielded 167 articles, across all WHO regions and income levels. Meta-analysis showed a raw global prevalence of lifetime epilepsy of 1099 per 100,000 people, whereas active epilepsy prevalence is slightly lower at 690 per 100,000 people. Global incidence was found to be 62 cases per 100,000 person-years. The meta-analysis predicted 4.6 million new cases of epilepsy annually worldwide, a prevalence of 51.7 million active epilepsy cases, and 82.3 million people with any lifetime epilepsy diagnosis. Differences across WHO regions and country incomes were significant. The authors estimate that currently 10.1 million patients with epilepsy may be surgical treatment candidates, and 1.4 million new surgically treatable epilepsy cases arise annually. The highest prevalences are found in Africa and Latin America, although the highest incidences are reported in the Middle East and Latin America. These regions are primarily low- and middle-income countries; as expected, the highest disease burden falls disproportionately on regions with the fewest healthcare resources. CONCLUSIONS Understanding of the global epilepsy burden has evolved as more regions have been studied. This up-to-date worldwide analysis provides the first estimate of surgical epilepsy volume and an updated comprehensive overview of current epidemiological trends. The disproportionate burden of epilepsy on low- and middle-income countries will require targeted diagnostic and treatment efforts to reduce the global disparities in care and cost. Quantifying global epilepsy provides the first step toward restructuring the allocation of healthcare resources as part of global healthcare system strengthening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerry A Vaughan
- 1Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- 5Global Neurosurgery Initiative/Program in Global Surgery and Social Change, Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Christian Lopez Ramos
- 2University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California
- 5Global Neurosurgery Initiative/Program in Global Surgery and Social Change, Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Vivek P Buch
- 1Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Rania A Mekary
- 3Department of Pharmaceutical Business and Administrative Sciences, School of Pharmacy, MCPHS University, Boston
- 4Cushing Neurosurgical Outcomes Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School
| | - Julia R Amundson
- 5Global Neurosurgery Initiative/Program in Global Surgery and Social Change, Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- 6Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Florida
| | - Meghal Shah
- 5Global Neurosurgery Initiative/Program in Global Surgery and Social Change, Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- 7Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Abbas Rattani
- 5Global Neurosurgery Initiative/Program in Global Surgery and Social Change, Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- 8Meharry Medical College, School of Medicine, Nashville; and
| | - Michael C Dewan
- 5Global Neurosurgery Initiative/Program in Global Surgery and Social Change, Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- 9Department of Neurosurgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Kee B Park
- 5Global Neurosurgery Initiative/Program in Global Surgery and Social Change, Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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Balal M, Demir T, Aslan K, Bozdemir H. Adana İl Merkezinde Epilepsi Prevalansı ve Sosyodemografik Faktörlerle İlişkisi. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.21763/tjfmpc.296272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Bellini I, Policardo L, Zaccara G, Palumbo P, Rosati E, Torre E, Francesconi P. Identification of prevalent patients with epilepsy using administrative data: the Tuscany experience. Neurol Sci 2017; 38:571-577. [DOI: 10.1007/s10072-016-2798-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Accepted: 12/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Hawley SR, Ablah E, Hesdorffer D, Pellock JM, Lindeman DP, Paschal AM, Thurman DJ, Liu Y, Warren MB, Schmitz T, Rogers A, St Romain T, Hauser WA. Prevalence of pediatric epilepsy in low-income rural Midwestern counties. Epilepsy Behav 2015; 53:190-6. [PMID: 26588587 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2015.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2015] [Accepted: 09/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Epilepsy is one of the most common disabling neurological disorders, but significant gaps exist in our knowledge about childhood epilepsy in rural populations. The present study assessed the prevalence of pediatric epilepsy in nine low-income rural counties in the Midwestern United States overall and by gender, age, etiology, seizure type, and syndrome. Multiple sources of case identification were used, including medical records, schools, community agencies, and family interviews. The prevalence of active epilepsy was 5.0/1000. Prevalence was 5.1/1000 in males and 5.0/1000 in females. Differences by age group and gender were not statistically significant. Future research should focus on methods of increasing study participation in rural communities, particularly those in which research studies are rare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne R Hawley
- Wichita State University, Department of Public Health Sciences, 1845 Fairmount Box 43, Wichita, KS 67260-0043, USA
| | - Elizabeth Ablah
- University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, 1010 N. Kansas, Wichita, KS 67214, USA
| | - Dale Hesdorffer
- Columbia University, 680 West 168 Street, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - John M Pellock
- Virginia Commonwealth University, Department of Neurology, P.O. Box 980599, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - David P Lindeman
- University of Kansas Life Span Institute at Parsons, 2601 Gabriel, Parsons, KS 67357, USA
| | - Angelia M Paschal
- The University of Alabama, Department of Health Science, Box 870311, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0311, USA
| | - David J Thurman
- Emory University, School of Medicine 201 Dowman Dr. Mailstop 1930-001-1AN, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Yi Liu
- Columbia University, 680 West 168 Street, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Mary Beth Warren
- University of Kansas Area Health Education Center, 1501 S. Joplin, Pittsburg, KS 66762, USA
| | - Terri Schmitz
- University of Kansas Area Health Education Center, 1501 S. Joplin, Pittsburg, KS 66762, USA
| | - Austin Rogers
- University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, 1010 N. Kansas, Wichita, KS 67214, USA
| | | | - W Allen Hauser
- Columbia University, 680 West 168 Street, New York, NY 10032, USA.
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Banta JE, Addison A, Beeson WL. Spatial patterns of epilepsy-related emergency department visits in california. J Public Health Res 2015; 4:441. [PMID: 25918697 PMCID: PMC4407042 DOI: 10.4081/jphr.2015.441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2014] [Accepted: 02/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Socio-demographic factors are associated with increased emergency department (ED) use among patients with epilepsy. However, there has been limited spatial analysis of such visits. Design and methods California ED visit at the patient ZIP Code level were examined using Kulldorf’s spatial scan statistic to identify clusters of increased risk for epilepsy-related visits. Logistic regression was used to examine the relative importance of patient socio-demographics, Census-based and hospital measures. Results During 2009-2011 there were 29,715,009 ED visits at 330 hospitals, of which 139,235 (0.5%) had epilepsy (International Classification of Disease-9 345.xx) as the primary diagnosis. Three large urban clusters of high epilepsy-related ED visits were centred in the cities of Los Angeles, Oakland and Stockton and a large rural cluster centred in Kern County. No consistent pattern by age, race/ethnicity, household structure, and income was observed among all clusters. Regression found only the Los Angeles cluster significant after adjusting for other measures. Conclusions Geospatial analysis within a large and geographically diverse region identified a cluster within its most populous city having an increased risk of ED visits for epilepsy independent of selected socio-demographic and hospital measures. Additional research is necessary to determine whether elevated rates of ED visits represent increased prevalence of epilepsy or an inequitable system of epilepsy care. Significance for public health There have been few spatial analyses regarding treatment for epilepsy. This paper significantly expands upon previous work by simultaneously considering multiple urban centres and sparsely populated agricultural and desert/mountain areas in a large state. Furthermore, most epilepsy studies involve one system of care or funding source (such as Department of Veterans Affairs, Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance plans). This paper considers all funding sources at community-based hospitals. Patient socio-demographics, area-based summaries of socio-demographics, and basic hospital characteristics explain most of the observed spatial variation in rates of emergency department (ED) visits related to epilepsy. However, preliminary spatial analysis demonstrated that an area within downtown Los Angeles did have a higher rate of epilepsy-related visits compared to the rest of the state. A more comprehensive surveillance approach with ED visit data could be readily applied to other large geographic areas and be useful both for on-going monitoring and public health intervention
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Affiliation(s)
- Jim E Banta
- School of Public Health, Loma Linda University , CA
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Giussani G, Franchi C, Messina P, Nobili A, Beghi E. Prevalence and incidence of epilepsy in a well-defined population of Northern Italy. Epilepsia 2014; 55:1526-33. [DOI: 10.1111/epi.12748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Giussani
- IRCCS Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research; Milan Italy
| | - Carlotta Franchi
- IRCCS Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research; Milan Italy
| | - Paolo Messina
- IRCCS Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research; Milan Italy
| | - Alessandro Nobili
- IRCCS Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research; Milan Italy
| | - Ettore Beghi
- IRCCS Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research; Milan Italy
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Giussani G, Cricelli C, Mazzoleni F, Cricelli I, Pasqua A, Pecchioli S, Lapi F, Beghi E. Prevalence and Incidence of Epilepsy in Italy Based on a Nationwide Database. Neuroepidemiology 2014; 43:228-32. [DOI: 10.1159/000368801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2014] [Accepted: 09/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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Family history and frontal lobe seizures predict long-term remission in newly diagnosed cryptogenic focal epilepsy. Epilepsy Res 2013; 107:101-8. [PMID: 23968820 DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2013.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2013] [Revised: 07/01/2013] [Accepted: 07/26/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Cryptogenic focal epilepsy (CFE) is a heterogeneous clinical disorder including patients with severe refractory forms and patients with a fairly good prognosis. Predictors of prognosis in CFE are poorly understood. The aim of this retrospective study is to identify long-term (5-year) prognostic predictors in patients with newly diagnosed CFE. METHODS Subjects with cryptogenic focal epilepsy (CFE) seen from April 1987 to September 2011 in two twin Epilepsy Centres located in Reggio Calabria and Catanzaro, Calabria, Southern Italy, were screened. Patients were excluded if they had psychogenic seizures, major psychiatric disorders presence of brain lesions except for non-specific white matter T2-hyperintensities, short follow-up (less than five years) or for having received the diagnosis of CFE elsewhere. One hundred and eighty-six patients, firstly diagnosed in our Centres, constituted the study sample. Survival curves were generated according to the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with the log-rank test. The endpoint was the cumulative time-dependent chance of 5-year remission after treatment start. Independent predictors of remission were tested by multivariate analysis using Cox proportional hazards function models. The accuracy of the resulting model was tested with Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curve analysis. KEY FINDINGS The cumulative incidence of remission was 23%. At Kaplan-Meier analysis, the only factor predicting remission was family history of epilepsy or febrile seizures (FS; p=0.02). At Cox regression, family history and frontal lobe epilepsy showed to be independent predictors of outcome (p=0.02 and 0.03, respectively). The accuracy of these predictors was good (area under ROC curve 0.648, 95% CI 0.575-0.716). Interestingly, we also found a considerable (7 years) diagnostic delay that did not result in a worse prognosis. SIGNIFICANCE About one quarter of subjects with newly diagnosed CFE attains 5-year seizure remission during follow-up. Family history of epilepsy or FS and frontal localization are independent prognostic predictors.
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