Seizure epidemiology and demographics

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Shakiba Hassanzadeh, MD[2]

Overview[edit | edit source]

It is estimated that 11% of the population experience a seizure in their life compared to the estimation of 3% for epilepsy. In the US, seizure is estimated to account for 1 million or 1% of emergency department (ED) visits annually. The incidence of acute symptomatic seizures is estimated to be 39 cases per 100,000 individuals in the US. Seizures are more common among males and people of African descent.

Epidemiology and Demographics[edit | edit source]

Incidence[edit | edit source]

• In the United States, the incidence of acute symptomatic seizures is estimated to be 39 cases per 100,000 individuals.^[1]
• It is estimated that 11% of the population experience a seizure in their life compared to the estimation of 3% for epilepsy.^[2][3]

Prevalence[edit | edit source]

• In the US, the prevalence of seizure is estimated to be 1 million or 1% of emergency department (ED) visits annually.^[4]

Case-fatality rate/Mortality rate[edit | edit source]

• Status epilepticus occurs in about 6%-7% of the patients with seizure in the ED.^[5][6][7]
• In the United States, the incidence of status epilepticus was estimated between 126,000 to 195,000 patients per year with 22,200 to 42,000 deaths per year.^[8]
• The overall mortality rate of status epilepticus is approximately 22% (3% in pediatric patients to 26% in adults).^[8]

Age[edit | edit source]

• Acute symptomatic seizures have the highest incidence among infants and small children, followed by those older than 75, and the lowest incidence among those between 25 to 34 years.^[4]
• Infants and children aged 1 to 5 years (mostly due to febrile seizure) followed by adults aged 41 to 50 years make up the most ED visits for seizure.^[4]

Race[edit | edit source]

• Individuals of the African American race are more likely to have seizure-related ED visits compared to Whites.^[4]

Gender[edit | edit source]

• Males are more affected by seizures than females.^[4][1]
• The male to female ratio of a seizure-related ED visit is approximately 1.4 to 1.^[4]
• The male to female ratio of acute symptomatic seizures on a population level (not in the ED setting) is approximately 1.85 to 1 (lifetime risk of 5.0% in males and 2.7% in females).^[1]

References[edit | edit source]