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Epilepsy in Sardinia, insular Italy: a population-based prevalence study
Paola Cossu1, Maria Grazia Deriu, Ilaria Casetta
1Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
Neuroepidemiology
|July 11, 2012
Summary
The prevalence of active epilepsy in Sardinia is similar to other developed nations, with higher rates observed in the elderly. Most epilepsies were symptomatic, often linked to cerebrovascular issues in older individuals.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Sardinia's unique epidemiological setting due to geographic isolation and established health systems.
- Investigating polyfactorial diseases in isolated populations.
- First large-scale prevalence study of epilepsy in Sardinia using multiple data sources.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of active epilepsy in a large Sardinian population.
- To analyze epilepsy prevalence by age and sex.
- To identify causes of symptomatic epilepsy.
Main Methods:
- Ascertainment of epilepsy cases in Sassari province (333,576 population) from 2000-2008.
- Utilized records from the District Center for Epilepsy, Health Information System, and neurologists.
- Multiple source ascertainment for comprehensive case identification.
Main Results:
- Crude prevalence of active epilepsy was 6.62 per 1,000 (95% CI 5.3-7.9).
- Prevalence was slightly higher in women (6.73 per 1,000) than men (6.51 per 1,000).
- Highest prevalence (8.78 per 1,000) in individuals aged 65 and older; 50.5% were symptomatic, with over half linked to cerebrovascular disorders.
Conclusions:
- Epilepsy prevalence in Sardinia aligns with other developed countries.
- Population-specific genetic and environmental factors may modulate neurological disease risk.
- Exogenous factors common in Western populations may influence Sardinian epilepsy patterns.
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