Epilepsy in Canada: Prevalence and impact.
Heather Gilmour1, Pamela Ramage-Morin1, Suzy L Wong1
1Health Analysis Division, Statistics Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.
Epilepsy affects an estimated 139,200 Canadians, often diagnosed before age 30. Individuals with epilepsy face higher risks of mood disorders and incontinence, impacting daily life.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Epilepsy is a significant neurological condition with varying prevalence and impact.
- Understanding the epidemiology of epilepsy is crucial for public health initiatives.
- Previous data on epilepsy's impact in Canada requires updated analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of epilepsy in Canada.
- To investigate the impact of epilepsy on various aspects of daily living.
- To identify comorbidities associated with epilepsy.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from multiple Canadian health surveys (2010-2012).
- Analyzed the Survey of Neurological Conditions in Institutions.
- Examined the Survey on Living with Neurological Conditions in Canada.
Main Results:
- An estimated 139,200 Canadians live with epilepsy.
- Epilepsy is typically diagnosed before age 30 (75%).
- Individuals with epilepsy show increased rates of mood disorders (17% vs. 7%) and incontinence (34% vs. 4%).
Conclusions:
- Epilepsy affects a substantial number of Canadians, with a significant impact on quality of life.
- Comorbidities like mood disorders and incontinence are more prevalent in people with epilepsy.
- Further research into the psychosocial and functional impact of epilepsy is warranted.
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