Epilepsy in active component service members, 1998-2012.

Epilepsy is defined as a disorder of the brain characterized by an enduring predisposition to generate epileptic seizures without any immediate identified cause. During the surveillance period there were 11,295 incident cases of epilepsy among active component service members (incidence rate: 52.8 per 100,000 person-years). Incidence rates increased 23 percent from 1999 to 2006, increased 52 percent from 2006 to 2010, and then decreased 38 percent from 2010 to 2012. Epilepsy incidence rates were higher among females, in the youngest age group (>20), and among white, non-Hispanics. A majority (85.8%) had no predisposing condition identified in their medical record. The number of epilepsy cases with a traumatic brain injury preceding their epilepsy diagnosis could not account for the increases in epilepsy during the period. However, the upward trend may be attributable to increased screening and evaluation of service members with possible head injuries, with subsequent detection of epileptic seizures.