The Lancet Neurology

Global, regional, and national burden of epilepsy, 1990-2016

a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016

18 February, 2019

Ettore Beghi, et al.

Lancet Neurology Published online February 14, 2019 doi.org/10.1016/ S1474-4422(18)30454-X

Download PDF: Global, regional, and national burden of epilepsy, 1990-2016

Background: Seizures and their consequences contribute to the burden of epilepsy because they can cause health loss
(premature mortality and residual disability). Data on the burden of epilepsy are needed for health-care planning and
resource allocation. The aim of this study was to quantify health loss due to epilepsy by age, sex, year, and location
using data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study.

Interpretation: Despite the decrease in the disease burden from 1990 to 2016, epilepsy is still an important cause of
disability and mortality. Standardised collection of data on epilepsy in population representative surveys will strengthen the estimates, particularly in countries for which we currently have no or sparse data and if additional data is collected on severity, causes, and treatment. Sizeable gains in reducing the burden of epilepsy might be expected from improved access to existing treatments in low-income countries and from the development of new effective drugs worldwide.