Epidemiology and Diagnosis of Epilepsy

Abstract

Epilepsy is a common neurological disease and has no age, race, social, gender or geographical boundaries. Nearly 5% people in the world may have at least one seizure in their lives.  At any point in time, 50 million people have epilepsy, especially in childhood, adolescence and old age. Major problems in epilepsy epidemiology are diagnostic accuracy and case ascertainment. The diagnosis of epilepsy has important physical, psychosocial and economic implications for the patient. Appropriate measures are needed to reduce the incidence, ensure adequate treatment of all affected persons, and prevent morbidity and mortality associated with epilepsy.

Keywords: Epilepsy, Seizures, Epidemiology, Diagnosis