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. 2013 Nov 1;62(43):849-53.

Comorbidity in adults with epilepsy--United States, 2010

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Comorbidity in adults with epilepsy--United States, 2010

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. .

Abstract

Epilepsy, a spectrum disorder characterized by recurring seizures, affects approximately 2.3 million U.S. adults. Epilepsy poses challenges because of uncontrolled seizures, treatment complexity, social disadvantages (e.g., unemployment), and stigma. Persons with epilepsy are at increased risk for early mortality and for comorbidities that can complicate epilepsy management, increase health-care costs, and shorten the lifespan. Numerous studies have described higher rates of psychiatric comorbidity (e.g., depression and anxiety) in persons with epilepsy. However, fewer studies have examined nonpsychiatric comorbidity in a nationally representative U.S. sample of adults with epilepsy. To assess the prevalence of nonpsychiatric comorbidities, CDC analyzed data from the 2010 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). Adults with epilepsy had a higher prevalence of cardiovascular, respiratory, some inflammatory, and other disorders (e.g., headache, migraine, and various other types of pain) than adults without epilepsy. Public health agencies can work with health-care providers, the Epilepsy Foundation, and other partners to ensure that adults with epilepsy have access to health promotion resources and chronic disease self-management programs.

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Figures

FIGURE
FIGURE
Percentage* of adults with selected nonpsychiatric conditions,† by number of conditions and epilepsy status — National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2010 * Unadjusted estimates. † Includes self-reported heart disease (coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction or any other heart disease); high blood pressure; stroke; diabetes mellitus; prediabetes; emphysema; chronic bronchitis; asthma; hay fever; sinusitis; dermatitis/eczema; arthritis; joint pain, aching, or stiffness; neck pain; low back pain; facial or jaw pain; severe headaches or migraine; cancer; ulcer; liver condition; and overweight/obesity (body mass index ≥25). § Because of different methodologies, estimates of comorbidities among adults with no history of epilepsy differ from those in a previously published report (Ward BW, Schiller JS. Prevalence of multiple chronic conditions among US adults: estimates from the National Health Interview Survey, 2010. Prev Chronic Dis. 2013;10:E65).
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