2009 July ; 85(1): 31–45 | Poonam Nina Banerjee, David Filippi, and W Allen Hauser
This review summarizes the prevalence and incidence studies of epilepsy, focusing on those that provide a clear definition of epilepsy and can be age-adjusted for comparisons. Age-adjusted prevalence estimates from record-based studies range from 2.7 to 17.6 per 1000, while door-to-door surveys report estimates from 2.2 to 41.0 per 1000. Age-adjusted incidence ranged from 16 to 51 per 100,000, with one exception in Chile at 111 per 100,000. Variations in reported prevalence and incidence may be influenced by factors such as healthcare access, environmental exposures, and socioeconomic status. The review also highlights the higher proportion of epilepsy characterized by generalized seizures in most prevalence studies and the prevalence of seizures of unknown cause in all studies. Additional prevalence studies are needed in regions with limited data, and incidence studies in all regions. Understanding the role of cultural, social, and economic factors is crucial for interpreting differences in prevalence and incidence.This review summarizes the prevalence and incidence studies of epilepsy, focusing on those that provide a clear definition of epilepsy and can be age-adjusted for comparisons. Age-adjusted prevalence estimates from record-based studies range from 2.7 to 17.6 per 1000, while door-to-door surveys report estimates from 2.2 to 41.0 per 1000. Age-adjusted incidence ranged from 16 to 51 per 100,000, with one exception in Chile at 111 per 100,000. Variations in reported prevalence and incidence may be influenced by factors such as healthcare access, environmental exposures, and socioeconomic status. The review also highlights the higher proportion of epilepsy characterized by generalized seizures in most prevalence studies and the prevalence of seizures of unknown cause in all studies. Additional prevalence studies are needed in regions with limited data, and incidence studies in all regions. Understanding the role of cultural, social, and economic factors is crucial for interpreting differences in prevalence and incidence.