The incidence and lifetime prevalence of neurological disorders in a prospective community-based study in the UK

Abstract

Over an 18-month period, all incident cases of neurological disorders were ascertained prospectively in an unselected urban population based in 13 general practices in the London area by a General Practice Linkage Scheme with the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery. In three of these practices, the lifetime prevalence of neurological disorders was also assessed. A population of 100 230 patients registered with participating general practices was followed prospectively for the onset of neurological disorders. Multiple methods of case finding were used to maintain accuracy. The age- and sex-adjusted incidence rates of neurological disorders were calculated. The lifetime prevalence of neurological disorders was surveyed in 27 658 of the patients. The age- and sex-adjusted incidence rates were calculated for major neurological conditions. [These are expressed as rates per 100 000 persons per annum, with 95% confidence intervals (CI) in parentheses]. The commonest of these were first cerebrovascular events, 205 (CI: 183, 230); shingles, 140 (CI: 104, 184); diabetic polyneuropathy, 54 (CI: 33, 83); compressive neuropathies, 49 (CI: 39, 61); epilepsy, 46 (CI: 36, 60); Parkinson's disease, 19 (CI: 12, 27); peripheral neuropathies, 15 (CI: 9, 23); CNS infections, 12 (CI: 5, 13); post-herpetic neuralgia, 11 (CI: 6, 17); and major neurological injuries, 10 (CI: 4, 11). Lifetime prevalence rates are also reported (expressed as rate per 1000 persons with 95% CI). The most prevalent conditions were: completed stroke, 9 (CI: 8, 11); transient ischaemic attacks, 5 (CI: 4, 6); active epilepsy, 4 (CI: 4, 5); congenital neurological deficit, 3 (CI: 3, 4); Parkinson's disease, 2 (CI: 1, 3); multiple sclerosis, 2 (CI: 2, 3); diabetic polyneuropathy, 2 (CI: 1, 3); compressive mononeuropathies, 2 (CI: 2, 3); and sub-arachnoid haemorrhage, 1 (CI: 0.8, 2). Overall, the onset of 625 neurological disorders was observed per 100 000 population annually. Six percent of the population had at some time had a neurological disorder. This is the first study of the incidence and lifetime prevalence of neurological disorders in recent times; we found that these disorders give rise to significant morbidity in the community.

The ‘cognitive footprint’ of psychiatric and neurological conditions: cross‐sectional study in the UK Biobank cohort

“…In the United Kingdom, lifetime prevalence per 100 000 population is estimated at up to 10 000 for major depression 17 and approximately 1 000 for BD 18, compared with 400–1 000 for schizophrenia 19 and 200 for both MS and PD 20. Despite the greater research focus on cognitive function in schizophrenia and neurological disorders, it is clear that the higher prevalence of mood disorders in the population means that the absolute number with associated cognitive impairment is likely to be substantial and of significant public health importance.…”

Diagnoses and referral pattern at a first seizure clinic in London

“…Epilepsy is amongst the most common serious neurological conditions with incidence rates, in high-income countries, ranging between 40 and 70/100,000 persons per year, and these are generally higher in young children and in elderly people (de Boer et al, 2008;Duncan et al, 2006;MacDonald et al, 2000). It is estimated that approximately 8% of the population experience a seizure at some time in their lives (Hauser and Kurland, 1975) and a correct diagnosis is crucial for a proper management and prognosis.…”

Magnet Dislocation: An Increasing and Serious Complication Following MRI in Patients with Cochlear Implants

“…Moreover, there is an increase in MRI examinations in general due to the expanded indications for MRI scans. A British study predicts that the lifetime prevalence of neurological diseases requiring MRI of the skull is 6.25 % [19]. All dislocations during MRI occurred in Cochlear ® implants.…”