A study analyzing the global burden of epilepsy from 1990 to 2021 found that in 2021, there were approximately 51.7 million people with epilepsy worldwide, with an age-standardized prevalence of 658 per 100,000 people. The study differentiated between idiopathic epilepsy (of genetic or unknown origin) and secondary epilepsy (due to structural or chemical brain abnormalities). Secondary epilepsy had a higher prevalence than idiopathic epilepsy, affecting about 27.5 million people. While the global trends indicate a reduction in death and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) for idiopathic epilepsy, there was a noticeable increase in the global burden of secondary epilepsy, primarily driven by low-income and middle-income countries.
The study emphasized the disproportionate burden of epilepsy in low- and middle-income regions, where more than 80% of the global cases, deaths, and DALYs occur. This finding highlights the need for better treatment and prevention strategies, especially in these regions. Although improvements have been made in managing epilepsy over the past decades, challenges remain, including access to effective treatments, societal stigma, and the need for further research into the risk factors and long-term outcomes of idiopathic epilepsy. The study calls for targeted interventions, improved healthcare access, and ongoing surveillance to reduce the burden of epilepsy worldwide.
Reference: GBD Epilepsy Collaborators. Global, regional, and national burden of epilepsy, 1990-2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. Lancet Public Health. 2025 Mar;10(3):e203-e227. doi: 10.1016/S2468-2667(24)00302-5. Epub 2025 Feb 24. PMID: 40015291; PMCID: PMC11876103.
