Prevalence of Treated Epilepsy in Korea Based on National Health Insurance Data

Abstract

The Korean national health security system covers the entire population and all medical facilities. We aimed to estimate epilepsy prevalence, anticonvulsant utilization pattern and the cost. We identified prevalent epilepsy patients by the prescription of anticonvulsants under the diagnostic codes suggesting seizure or epilepsy from 2007 Korean National Health Insurance databases. The information of demography, residential area, the kind of medical security service reflecting economic status, anticonvulsants, and the costs was extracted. The overall prevalence of treated epilepsy patients was 2.41/1,000, and higher for men than women. The age-specific prevalence was the lowest in those in their thirties and forties. Epilepsy was more prevalent among lower-income individuals receiving medical aid. The regional prevalence was the highest in Jeju Island and lowest in Ulsan city. New anticonvulsants were more frequently used than old anticonvulsants in the younger age group. The total annual cost of epilepsy or seizure reached 0.46% of total medical expenditure and 0.27% of total expenditure on health. This is the first nationwide epidemiological report issued on epilepsy in Korea. Epilepsy prevalence in Korea is comparable to those in developed countries. Economic status and geography affect the prevalence of epilepsy.

The Validity and Reliability of Characterizing Epilepsy Based on an External Review of Medical Records

“…Our previous study demonstrated its value in estimating the national prevalence of epilepsy based on antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) prescribed and diagnostic codes for claims [1]. However, NHI data should be validated for epidemiological research [2,3].…”

Antiepileptic drug adherence and persistence in children with epilepsy attending a large tertiary care children's hospital

“…The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 4-10 of every 1,000 people in the general population have epilepsy (WHO, 2016). The prevalence of treated epilepsy in Korea has been estimated to be 2.41 in every 1,000 people, with a higher prevalence in children (Lee et al, 2012). Antiepileptic drug (AED) therapy is the primary treatment for epilepsy.…”

Trends in Antiepileptic Drug Prescriptions for Childhood Epilepsy at a Tertiary Children’s Hospital in Korea, 2001–2012

“…One-year AED prescribing patterns were described in a study using the NHIC database in Korea [20]. However, to the best of our knowledge, no study of the pediatric epilepsy population in Korea has described the initial and longitudinal AED prescription patterns.…”