PURPOSE: To examine possible changes over time in the incidence of epilepsy in different age groups. METHODS: Based on the nationwide full-refundable antiepileptic drug register and population register, incidence of newly diagnosed epilepsy was measured by granted full-refundable antiepileptic drugs for epilepsy. RESULTS: The incidence was throughout all age groups higher in men than in women. The incidence in the total population had significantly declined in 1986-2002, from 71.6/100,000 to 52.9/100,000. The incidence significantly decreased in children (0.77; 0.71-0.84, p<0.0001) and adults (0.83; 0.77-0.89, p<0.0001) but increased in the elderly (1.18; 1.10-1.26, p<0.0001). The increased incidence in the elderly over the time period was primarily seen in women. CONCLUSION: The incidence of epilepsy has significantly declined in both children and adults with a concurrent increase in the incidence among the elderly. Further studies are needed to elucidate the precise cause of these temporal changes.
PURPOSE: To examine possible changes over time in the incidence of epilepsy in different age groups. METHODS: Based on the nationwide full-refundable antiepileptic drug register and population register, incidence of newly diagnosed epilepsy was measured by granted full-refundable antiepileptic drugs for epilepsy. RESULTS: The incidence was throughout all age groups higher in men than in women. The incidence in the total population had significantly declined in 1986-2002, from 71.6/100,000 to 52.9/100,000. The incidence significantly decreased in children (0.77; 0.71-0.84, p<0.0001) and adults (0.83; 0.77-0.89, p<0.0001) but increased in the elderly (1.18; 1.10-1.26, p<0.0001). The increased incidence in the elderly over the time period was primarily seen in women. CONCLUSION: The incidence of epilepsy has significantly declined in both children and adults with a concurrent increase in the incidence among the elderly. Further studies are needed to elucidate the precise cause of these temporal changes.
Authors: Sari Räisänen; Arja Sokka; Leena Georgiadis; Maija Harju; Mika Gissler; Leea Keski-Nisula; Reetta Kälviäinen; Seppo Heinonen Journal: PLoS One Date: 2013-02-13 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Seo-Young Lee; Ki-Young Jung; Il Keun Lee; Sang Do Yi; Yong Won Cho; Dong Wook Kim; Seung-Sik Hwang; Sejin Kim Journal: J Korean Med Sci Date: 2012-02-23 Impact factor: 2.153