Lacking treatment raises death risk of epilepsy in low-income countries: WHO

Epilepsy raises the risk of premature death up to three times than for the general population, especially in low-income countries where three quarters of the patients do not get the treatment, according to a latest report from the World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday.

In low- and middle-income countries, early death among people with epilepsy is significantly higher than in high-income countries, which is likely associated with lack of access to health facilities when seizures are long-lasting or occur close together without recovery in between, and preventable causes such as drowning, head injuries and burns, according to the report, "Epilepsy, a public health imperative," released by the WHO and leading nongovernmental organizations for epilepsy, the International League Against Epilepsy and the International Bureau for Epilepsy.

It estimates that about half of adults with epilepsy have at least one other health condition, the most common being depression and anxiety. Mental health conditions such as these can make seizures worse and reduce quality of life, while development and learning difficulties are experienced by 30 to 40 percent of children with epilepsy.

The high risk of epilepsy also includes widespread stigma thereupon, the report adds. "Many children with epilepsy do not go to school and adults are denied work, the right to drive and even to get married. These human rights violations experienced by people with epilepsy need to come to an end," said Dr. Martin Brodie, president of the International Bureau for Epilepsy.

The report thus urges governments to show their political will to integrate the diagnosis of and treatment for epilepsy into primary health services. "We know how to reduce the epilepsy treatment gap. Now action to introduce the measures needed to make a difference needs to be accelerated," said Dr. Samuel Wiebe, President of the International League Against Epilepsy.

Meanwhile, the WHO also calls to address the "unacceptably high" treatment gap for epilepsy, as 70 percent of the patients can be seizure-free when having access to medicines that can cost as little as five U.S. dollars per year and can be delivered through primary health systems.

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological diseases, affecting nearly 50 million people of all ages around the world. It is a brain disease characterized by abnormal electrical activity causing seizures or unusual behavior, sensations and sometimes loss of awareness. Epilepsy affects people of all ages, with peaks among children and the over-60s. It has neurological, cognitive, psychological and social consequences.

Causes of epilepsy include injury around the time of birth, traumatic brain injury, infections of the brain, such as meningitis or encephalitis, and stroke. The WHO estimated that 25 percent of cases can be prevented.