Epidemiology

Focal seizures are the most common seizure type in adults. Overall, more than half of seizures in the epilepsy population are focal; this applies across all age groups.

In 2016, the estimated number of people globally with active epilepsy was 45.9 million.[4] A 2017 systematic review and meta-analysis of international studies reported an incidence rate of epilepsy of 61.4 in 100,000 person-years.[5] In high-income countries, age-specific incidence of epilepsy is highest in people under age 20 years (especially those in the first few months of life), and in adults >60 years, with the lowest incidence in the intervening years.[6] The incidence of epilepsy is somewhat higher for men.

The 2016 Global Burden of Disease study reported an age-standardized prevalence of epilepsy of 622 in 100,000 population.[4] A similar estimate of 638 in 100,000 was reported in a 2017 review, with a pooled point prevalence of 299 in 100,000 for focal seizures.[5] Prevalence is reported to increase with age, with peaks at 5-9 years and >80 years.[4]

The reported incidence and prevalence of epilepsy is higher in low/middle-income countries than in high-income countries.[4][5] Prevalence in the Global Burden of Disease study varied from a low of 311 in 100,000 population in Japan to a high of 1288 in 100,000 population in Cape Verde. These differences may be due in part to differences in factors such as mortality, etiology (e.g., number of central nervous system infections), treatment, and study methodology.[4][5]

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