The epidemiology of epilepsy in Europe – a systematic review

Forsgren, Lars; Beghi, Ettore; Õun, Andre; Sillanpää, Matti

doi:10.1111/j.1468-1331.2004.00992.x

Cited by 677 publications

(506 citation statements)

References 43 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

397

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…As complex attributes seem to repeat in children with recurrent FS episodes (25) and recurrences, amongst others, may conceivably implicate subsequent epilepsy (8,26), the need of preventing these recurrent FSs becomes apparent. Since complex features, especially the prolonged types, seem to be associated with the development of epilepsy (7)(8)(9)27), this high percentage of complex features may be related to the reported higher prevalence of epilepsy in sub-Saharan Africa (10,11) in comparison to high-income nations (28). Beside complex attributes, the number of FS episodes, a positive family history of unprovoked seizures and neurological abnormality represent, inter alia, risk factors for subsequent epilepsy (3,8,29).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Community-based prevalence and clinical characteristics of febrile seizures in Tanzania

et al. 2015

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background:The prevalence of febrile seizures (FSs) and epilepsy are often reported to be higher in sub-Saharan Africa. Furthermore, several studies describe complex features of FSs as risk factors for the development of subsequent epilepsy. Methods: During the period from 2002 to 2004 door-to-door studies with supplementary data collection were conducted in three different areas of Tanzania, examining the prevalence of FSs in 7,790 children between the age of 2 mo and 7 y at the time of the interview. The information on the presence of FSs of 14,583 children, who at the time of the interview were younger than 15 y, was collected in order to describe reported seizures, if any. results: Overall, 160 children between 2 mo and 7 y with a prevalence rate of 20.5/1,000 (95% confidence interval: 17.5-23.9/1,000) met the criteria for FSs. The average age at onset was 2.2 (SD: 1.8) y and ~42% had complex FSs. Respiratory tract infections and malaria were the most frequent concomitant diseases. conclusion: Our findings do not confirm the assumption of an increased prevalence of FSs in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the elevated number of complex FSs emphasizes the necessity of more reliable studies about FSs and its consequences.F ebrile seizures (FSs) in children seem to occur frequently and often cause anxiety in parents. Prevalence rates from hospital-and community-based studies conducted up to now vary a lot according to the methods used, age definition and the country in which these studies were conducted (Supplementary Table S1 online). The majority of the studies estimate a prevalence of FSs in about 2-4% of all children (1-3). However, prevalence rates range from 9.9/1,000 ascertained in Germany (4) to 116.1/1,000 determined in a rural population in Nigeria (5).Prevalence and incidence rates of FSs may be higher in regions of Asia and Africa, but epidemiological studies of lowincome countries are scarce. Complex FSs have been reported to be more frequent in children in sub-Saharan Africa (6), and it is especially complex features, such as prolonged or focal seizures, that have been described as risk factors for the development of epilepsy (7-9) and may be related to the reported higher prevalence of epilepsy in sub-Saharan Africa (10,11). Furthermore, FS associated infectious diseases seems to be different in children with FSs in sub-Saharan Africa compared to the disease spectrum in the western world and management of those diseases such as malaria has to be taken into account when dealing with FSs in low-income countries (12).This door-to-door study in combination with complementary multisource data collection at hospitals and Mother and Child Health Centres (MCHs) was designed to ascertain the community-based prevalence of FSs, to describe the various clinical attributes and to assess special features of FSs in Tanzania. RESULTS Prevalence of Febrile SeizuresThe number of cases with FSs found via the different methods and the resulting prevalence rates referring to the children between 2 mo and 7 y at the time o...

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Community-based prevalence and clinical characteristics of febrile seizures in Tanzania

et al. 2015

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Epilepsy is a serious chronic neurological disorder that has a higher incidence (70-116 per 100,000 person-years) in children and young people (CYP), under 18 years, than in adults (30-55 per 100,000 person-years) (Forsgren et al, 2005;Kotsopoulos et al, 2002;Meeraus et al, 2013). As many clinical subtypes of childhood epilepsy persist into adulthood (Guerrini 2006), epilepsy has long term clinical care requirements and a high economic burden at individual, family, health service and societal levels in the United Kingdom (UK) and in Europe (Pugliatti et al, 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The direct medical costs of epilepsy in children and young people: A population-based study of health resource utilisation

2014

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) is an important source of guidance when it comes to epilepsy 1. Their recently published revised, operational definition of epilepsy 2 is therefore noteworthy.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A disease, disorder, illness or condition: How to label epilepsy?

2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) is an important source of guidance for health professionals when it comes to epilepsy. Their latest recommendation that epilepsy should no longer be called a “disorder,” but a “disease” has though caused controversy. The ILAE contends the change will improve epilepsy's image. Some clinicians and other organizations fear the change may not though be accepted by patients as in common parlance “disease” can be associated with “contagiousness”/”infection.” To allow practicing clinicians to make informed judgements about what language they use, we completed the first study to assess the preferences of those with epilepsy and significant others and explore if any of their characteristics were associated with preference. Via epilepsy interest groups and associations in England, Wales, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland, 971 patients and significant others were surveyed. Participants identified which of four labels for epilepsy (“disorder,” “illness,” “disease,” “condition”) they favoured and rated each using a Likert‐scale. Patients’ median age was 39; 69% had experienced seizures in the prior year. “Condition” was favoured by most patients (74.3%) and significant others (71.2%). Only 2.2% of patients and 1.2% of significant others chose “disease”; it received a median Likert‐rating indicating “strongly dislike.” Multinomial logistic regression found it was not possible to reliably distinguish between participants favouring the different terms on the basis of demographics. The ILAE's position is at odds with what most patients and carers want and we discuss the implications of this.

show abstract

The epidemiology of epilepsy in Europe – a systematic review

Cited by 677 publications

References 43 publications

Community-based prevalence and clinical characteristics of febrile seizures in Tanzania

Community-based prevalence and clinical characteristics of febrile seizures in Tanzania

The direct medical costs of epilepsy in children and young people: A population-based study of health resource utilisation

A disease, disorder, illness or condition: How to label epilepsy?

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About