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. 2019 Feb 15;4(1):144-152.
doi: 10.1002/epi4.12306. eCollection 2019 Mar.

The provision of epilepsy care across Europe 2017: A 17-year follow-up survey

Johan Zelano  1   2 , Judith Klecki  1 , Jakob Christensen  3 , Torbjörn Tomson  4 , Kristina Malmgren  1   2 ; ESBACE consortium Collaborators
Collaborators, Affiliations

The provision of epilepsy care across Europe 2017: A 17-year follow-up survey

Johan Zelano et al. Epilepsia Open. .

Abstract

Objective: To assess the resources available in the provision of epilepsy care across Europe and the developments since the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) survey published in 2003 (data collected in 2000).

Methods: An updated online version of the European Epilepsy Services Inventory was distributed to all European chapters of the ILAE (N = 47) and responses were obtained from 33 chapters (response rate 70%). To assess trends and allow comparisons with the survey published in 2003, the responding countries were divided into 4 groups (Western, Central, Southern, and Eastern). Responses from European Union (EU) member states are reported as a subgroup (N = 23), since the current survey is a part of the EU-funded European Study on the Burden and Care of Epilepsy (ESBACE, www.esbace.eu).

Results: The total number of physicians involved in epilepsy care had increased since 2000, with the largest increase seen for neurologists. The gap between the best- and the least-provided areas with regard to the competence of the providers had diminished. However, the density of comprehensive multidisciplinary epilepsy teams had not changed to any greater degree. The main problems reported by the chapters were to a large extent the same as in 2000 and included lack of specialists and specialist care, lack or underuse of epilepsy surgery, and problems regarding financing and resource allocation. Several chapters also highlighted problems with healthcare structure and organization.

Significance: Although there have been some improvements concerning the availability of care for people with epilepsy in Europe over the last 17 years, there are still a number of problem areas with little improvement or where there are important regional differences.

Keywords: epilepsy; healthcare policy; public health.

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Conflict of interest statement

J.Z. is organizing a scientific meeting at Gothenburg University in 2019 sponsored by UCB and Eisai and has been a subinvestigator in clinical trials sponsored by GW Pharmaceuticals and SK Life Science. T.T. is an employee of Karolinska Institutet; is associate editor for Epileptic Disorders; has received speaker's honoraria to his institution from Eisai, UCB, Sandoz, and Actavis, honoraria to his institution for advisory boards from UCB and Eisai, and research support from Stockholm County Council, CURE (Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy), GlaxoSmithKline, UCB, Eisai, Bial and Novartis. Jakob Christensen has received honoraria for serving the Scientific Advisory Board of UCB Nordic and Eisai AB. Jakob Christensen has also received honoraria from UCB Nordic and Eisai AB for giving lectures and has received funding for a trip for UCB Nordic. Jakob Christensen is involved in clinical trials involving the following companies: Pfizer, Novartis, Eisai AB, and Sage Therapeutics, Inc. The other authors report no disclosures relevant to this research activity. We confirm that we have read the Journal's position on issues involved in ethical publication and affirm that this report is consistent with those guidelines.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The map shows the regional density of multidisciplinary epilepsy teams without (A) and with (B) surgical programs in the responding European Union (EU) countries. Hatched countries on the maps represent nonresponding EU countries; white countries are not member states in the EU
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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