Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2026
09:57
Electromagnetic Source Imaging in Presurgical Evaluation of Children with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy
Published on: September 20, 2024
Do older adults have equitable access to specialist epilepsy services?
Markus Reuber1, Pravin Torane, Carina Mack
1Academic Neurology Unit, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom. markus.reuber@sth.nhs.uk
Epilepsia
|July 29, 2010
Summary
Older adults with epilepsy show significantly lower access to specialist services compared to younger individuals. This disparity may lead to misdiagnoses and inadequate treatment for the aging epilepsy population.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Geriatrics
- Public Health
Background:
- The prevalence of epilepsy is increasing among older adults.
- Specialist epilepsy services aim for equitable access for all patients.
- Concerns exist regarding age-related disparities in healthcare access.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess equitable access to a regional specialist epilepsy service for older adults.
- To identify potential age-based disparities in service utilization.
- To evaluate the risk of misdiagnosis and suboptimal management in older epilepsy patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 846 adult patient records within a regional epilepsy service.
- Utilized data from a prior epidemiologic study to estimate service access proportions across age groups.
- Compared service utilization rates between younger and older adult populations with epilepsy.
Main Results:
- Only 2.3% of individuals aged 85 and older with epilepsy were referred to the specialist service.
- In contrast, 43.7% of adults younger than 20 were utilizing the specialist service.
- A significant underrepresentation of older adults accessing epilepsy care was observed.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest potential inadvertent age discrimination in accessing specialist epilepsy care.
- Older adults with epilepsy may face increased risks of misdiagnosis and suboptimal treatment due to limited access.
- Further investigation and interventions are needed to ensure equitable care for all age groups with epilepsy.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview
Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease marked by recurrent, unpredictable seizures. These seizures are caused by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain, leading to behavior, sensation, or consciousness alterations. They can also cause transient impairment of awareness, interfering with daily activities.
Various factors can trigger epilepsy, including genetic factors, brain damage, metabolic causes, and unknown etiology. Diagnosis of epilepsy involves electroencephalography (EEG), which...
Various factors can trigger epilepsy, including genetic factors, brain damage, metabolic causes, and unknown etiology. Diagnosis of epilepsy involves electroencephalography (EEG), which...
01:22Epilepsy ll: Types
Recurrent seizures, stemming from abnormal electrical activity in the brain, are the defining characteristic of epilepsy, a chronic neurological condition. Because seizure features vary greatly, epilepsy is classified using two systems: by seizure type and by epilepsy syndromes. These classifications enable clinicians to describe seizure patterns and select suitable treatment strategies.I. Classification by Seizure Type1. Focal EpilepsyFocal epilepsy begins in one hemisphere of the brain.
01:30Electroconvulsive Therapy
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), or shock therapy, remains a critical biomedical intervention for severe, treatment-resistant depression. While its origins can be traced back to Hippocrates' observations that malaria-induced convulsions alleviated mental illness, modern ECT has evolved significantly from its earlier, more primitive applications. First introduced in 1938 by Ugo Cerletti and his colleagues, ECT involves inducing controlled seizures using electrical currents. In its early years,...
01:13Seizures: Classification
Epilepsy is primarily characterized by unpredictable seizures, either provoked by an identifiable factor, such as injury or illness, or unprovoked, occurring spontaneously without apparent cause.
Seizures are typically classified into two main categories: focal and generalized seizures.
Focal Seizures
Focal seizures originate from specific regions of the brain. These seizures are further sub-classified into two types:
Seizures are typically classified into two main categories: focal and generalized seizures.
Focal Seizures
Focal seizures originate from specific regions of the brain. These seizures are further sub-classified into two types:
01:20Seizures l: Introduction
Understanding seizures and epilepsy relies on key definitions that help in recognizing, classifying, and managing these disorders. These definitions provide a framework for recognizing, classifying, and managing seizure disorders.DefinitionsA seizure is a sudden, abnormal burst of electrical activity in the brain that can cause changes in awareness, movement, sensation, or behavior, depending on the area involved. Epilepsy is a chronic condition characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures,...
01:11Secondary Healthcare System
Secondary healthcare is offered by a specialist, generally in hospitals or clinics for patients referred by primary healthcare providers. It occurs when a person has an illness or injury that requires specific medical care. Secondary care is often referred to as acute care. Secondary care can range from uncomplicated care to repair a minor laceration or treat a strep throat infection to more complicated emergent care, such as treating a head injury sustained in an automobile accident. Whatever...