Examining the prevalence of epilepsy and delivery of epilepsy care in Ireland

Abstract

Results: The findings indicate that nationwide approximately (1) 10 per 1,000 persons (n = 31,000) 18 years and older have self-reported lifetime prevalence of epilepsy, (2) 8.3-9 per 1,000 (approximately 33,000-36,000) persons 5 years and older are being treated for epilepsy using antiepilepsy medication, (3) the typical general practitioner provides care to an average of 13 patients with active epilepsy and epilepsy in remission with treatment, (4) specialist care is provided on a weekly basis to approximately 442 persons with active epilepsy and epilepsy in remission with treatment, and (5) approximately 67 discharges for persons with a primary or secondary diagnosis of epilepsy are reported from acute hospitals weekly. Discussion: This study is distinguished as the first nationwide prevalence study of epilepsy in Europe and provides previously unavailable data on this population in Ireland. Moreover, this study illustrates the merits of secondary data analysis of existing sources when access to clinical sources for the purpose of identifying epidemiologic samples is limited.

Epilepsy in Sardinia, Insular Italy: A Population-Based Prevalence Study

“…The use of computerized databases has already proven to be relevant in prevalence studies conducted in large populations [19,20] or nationwide [21], in which, however, the clinical classification of epilepsies could not be performed. …”

Becoming comfortable with “my” epilepsy: Strategies that patients use in the journey from diagnosis to acceptance and disclosure

“…In general, the age-adjusted incidence of epilepsy in developed countries ranges from 24 to 53 per 100,000 person-years, while the incidence in developing countries is generally higher in the range of 64-190 per 100,000 person-years [2]. In Ireland, this translates to a prevalence of 10 per 1000 people who are diagnosed with epilepsy [3].…”

Future directions for epidemiology in epilepsy

“…The prevalence estimate is acknowledged as a likely underestimate given the specific wording of the epilepsy item (personal communication, B. Denorre, European Commission, 17 January 2007). A more robust item, asking if ‘your doctor has ever diagnosed you with epilepsy’ reported a considerably higher prevalence estimate, 10 per 1,000, for Irish respondents when utilised in the 2007 Labour Force Survey [30]. The disparity between these findings highlights the need to interpret surveillance survey findings in context.…”