Epilepsy, a neurological disorder marked by recurrent and unpredictable seizures due to abnormal brain activity, affects approximately 50 million people globally, as reported by the World Health Organization. 

Causes of epilepsy

• Genetic Factors
• Brain Injury
• Infections
• Structural Abnormalities
• Stroke
• Neurodegenerative Disorders
• Metabolic Disorders
• Substance Withdrawal
• Autoimmune Disorders
• Perinatal Injury
• Febrile Seizures
• Developmental Disorders

Key Epilepsy statistics 

• About 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, with 80% living in low-income countries.
• Individuals aged 65 and above account for nearly 25% of new epilepsy cases.
• Focal seizures make up approximately 60% of all epilepsy cases, while generalized seizures constitute about 30%.
• Absence seizures occur in 10-17% of childhood epilepsy cases.
• 70% of individuals with epilepsy can achieve a seizure-free life with proper diagnosis and treatment.
• Around 30% of epilepsy patients have drug-resistant epilepsy, not responding to standard anti-seizure medication.
• In the United States, about 3.4 million people, including 470,000 children, have epilepsy.
• For drug-resistant epilepsy, surgery can lead to seizure freedom in 60-80% of suitable cases.

 How many people have epilepsy?

• About 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, making it one of the most common brain-related diseases. 
• Approximately 80% of people with epilepsy live in low-income countries. However, with accurate diagnosis and effective treatment, up to 70% of individuals with epilepsy can achieve a seizure-free life.

Epilepsy statistics by age

• Epilepsy typically starts either during childhood or in older adulthood, but it can begin at any age. 
• Statistics show that Individuals aged 65 and above have the highest incidence of epilepsy, constituting nearly a quarter of new onset cases.
• Research shows that the occurrence of epilepsy in children is most frequent during the first year of life and gradually decreases, reaching levels similar to those in adults by the age of 10. 
• As children grow and their neurological systems mature, the incidence of epilepsy tends to decrease, contributing to a shift toward adult-level prevalence by the age of 10. 

Epilepsy statistics by gender

• Epilepsy is slightly more common in males than females, partly due to a higher exposure in males to risk factors associated with lesional epilepsy.
• Factors such as traumatic brain injuries, infections, and certain genetic predispositions that contribute to lesional epilepsy might be more prevalent or impactful in males. 

Who is more at risk of developing epilepsy?

• Research shows that Epilepsy is more common in young children and older adults. This may be due to the developing nature of the brain in children or the decline in cognitive function in seniors. 

Epilepsy statistics by type

1. Focal Seizures: These seizures, originating in one area of the brain, account for approximately 60% of all epilepsy cases. They can present as simple (without loss of awareness) or complex (with impaired awareness).
2. Generalized Seizures: Making up about 30% of epilepsy cases, these seizures involve the entire brain from the start. Common types include absence, tonic-clonic, and myoclonic seizures.
3. Absence Seizures: Often occurring in children, absence seizures make up to 10 to 17% of all childhood epilepsies. They are characterized by brief lapses in awareness.
4. Tonic-Clonic Seizures: The most widely recognized type, tonic-clonic seizures account for about 25% of all epilepsy cases. These involve a combination of muscle stiffness and convulsions.
5. Myoclonic Seizures: Characterized by sudden muscle jerks, myoclonic seizures represent about 5% of epilepsy cases. They often occur as part of broader epilepsy syndromes.
6. Atonic Seizures: Rare but serious, atonic seizures, causing sudden loss of muscle tone, represent around 1-2% of epilepsy cases. They can lead to falls and injuries.
7. Status Epilepticus: This severe, prolonged seizure condition accounts for about 5-10% of epilepsy cases and is a medical emergency requiring immediate attention.
8. Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy: A specific epilepsy syndrome that begins in adolescence, juvenile myoclonic epilepsy represents about 5-10% of all epilepsy cases. It is characterized by myoclonic jerks, often in the morning.

Epilepsy statistics by country 

1. United States: Around 3.4 million people have epilepsy, including about 470,000 children. Each year, 150,000 new cases are diagnosed in the U.S.
2. India: India has one of the highest epilepsy burdens globally, with an estimated 10 million people affected. It accounts for nearly 1 million new cases annually.
3. United Kingdom: Approximately 630,000 people are living with epilepsy in the UK, which means about 1 in 100 people have the condition.
4. China: The prevalence of epilepsy in China is around 10.0 million, with approximately 600,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Rural areas often face challenges in accessing proper diagnosis and treatment.
5. Brazil: In Brazil, about 3 million people live with epilepsy. Around 80% of these cases occur in low-income regions, where access to healthcare is limited.
6. Australia: Over 250,000 Australians have epilepsy, and roughly 800 new cases are diagnosed every month. Access to healthcare is generally good, but rural areas may face challenges.
7. Japan: Japan has approximately 1 million people living with epilepsy, with about 60,000 new cases each year. Advances in healthcare have led to a high treatment success rate.

Epilepsy treatment statistics 

1. Treatment Response: Approximately 70% of people with epilepsy can become seizure-free with appropriate anti-seizure medication.
2. Drug-Resistant Epilepsy: Around 30% of epilepsy patients have drug-resistant epilepsy, meaning they do not respond to standard anti-seizure medications.
3. Surgical Intervention: For patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, surgery is a viable option. Successful surgery can lead to seizure freedom in about 60-80% of suitable cases.
4. Medication Use: The most commonly prescribed anti-seizure medications include levetiracetam, lamotrigine, and valproate.
5. Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS): VNS is a treatment option for individuals who do not respond well to medication or surgery. This therapy reduces seizures by about 30-50% in most patients.
6. Ketogenic Diet: This high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet can significantly reduce seizures in children with drug-resistant epilepsy. Up to 50% of children on the diet experience a reduction in seizures, and around 10-15% become seizure-free.

Sources

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