Active epilepsy prevalence among U.S. adults is 1.1% and differs by educational level-National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2021

Abstract

This study used the most recent national data from the 2021 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) to provide updated estimates of the prevalence of active epilepsy (self-reported doctor-diagnosed epilepsy, currently under treatment with antiseizure medicines or had at least 1 seizure in the past 12 months, or both) and inactive epilepsy (self-reported doctor-diagnosed history of epilepsy, not under treatment with antiseizure medicines and with no seizures in the past 12 months) overall and by sex, age groups, race/ethnicity, education level, and health insurance status. In 2021, 1.1% of U.S. adults, (approximately 2,865,000 adults) reported active epilepsy; 0.6% (approximately 1,637,000 adults) reported inactive epilepsy. The prevalence of active epilepsy and inactive epilepsy did not differ by age or sex. Active and inactive epilepsy prevalence differed by educational level. Weighted population estimates are reported for each subgroup (e.g., women; non-Hispanic Blacks) for program or policy development. Although active epilepsy prevalence has remained relatively stable over the past decade, this study shows that more than half of U.S. adults with active epilepsy have ≤high school diploma/GED, which can inform the development and implementation of interventions. Additional monitoring is necessary to examine population trends in active prevalence overall and in subgroups.

Keywords: Education; Educational attainment; Epilepsy prevalence; National Health Interview Survey; Population survey.

Fig. 1.

Age-adjusted* active epilepsy^† prevalence by age group, sex, race/ethnicity, and educational status among adults—United States, 2021 National Health Interview Survey^§ Abbreviations: GED = General Educational Development; HS = high school. *Age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. projected population aged ≥18 years using three age groups: 18–44, 45–64, and ≥65 years. All prevalence estimates are age-adjusted except those for age groups. ^†Active epilepsy was defined as self-reported doctor-diagnosed epilepsy and either taking medication, having had one or more seizures in the past year, or both. ^§Error bars represent 95% confidence intervals. ^¶Persons identified as Hispanic might be of any race. The four racial/ethnic categories are mutually exclusive. ^**Non-overlapping 95% confidence intervals were used to assess statistically significant differences between subgroups. Age-adjusted prevalence of active epilepsy was lower among adults with at least some college education compared with those with less education.