Global Trends in Adolescent Epilepsy
EPILEPSY affects more than 4 million adolescents worldwide, with rates remaining stagnant over the past three decades despite significant progress in neurological care.
Researchers analyzed global data spanning 204 countries from 1990 to 2021, quantifying epilepsy-related deaths, prevalence, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) among adolescents aged 10–19 years. The study found that while global prevalence rose, regional differences were striking. Sub-Saharan Africa exhibited the highest burden, whereas North America, Western Europe, and East Asia reported lower prevalence and DALY rates.
Age-standardized DALY rates were inversely related to each region’s sociodemographic index, underscoring the influence of socioeconomic and healthcare infrastructure on outcomes. Sex-based differences were also observed in several regions, with boys often facing greater disability burdens due to delayed diagnosis or limited access to treatment.
Regional Inequalities and Health System Gaps
The analysis revealed that countries with limited healthcare resources and persistent social stigma continue to experience disproportionately high epilepsy-related disability. Conversely, some low-burden nations achieved progress through early detection, decentralized treatment access, and community education.
Notably, the study highlighted that some countries presented high DALYs despite relatively low prevalence, an indicator of diagnostic undercapacity and gaps in long-term disease management. These discrepancies suggest that improvements in case detection, antiepileptic drug availability, and stigma reduction could meaningfully narrow the global gap in adolescent epilepsy care.
Policy Implications for Adolescent Epilepsy Care
Case studies from lower-burden countries identified three core strategies for mitigation: integrated school-based seizure screening, decentralized antiepileptic drug distribution, and community-led stigma reduction. These frameworks demonstrate scalable potential for adaptation in low-resource settings through mobile telemedicine and tiered referral systems.
As epilepsy continues to impose social, educational, and health challenges during adolescence, the findings reinforce the need for equitable global access to diagnostics, treatment, and public education.
Reference: Zhou Z et al. Global, regional and national burden of epilepsy in adolescents aged 10–19 years from 1990 to 2021: An analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. Epilepsia Open. 2025 Oct 31. doi: 10.1002/epi4.70176.
