Update on causes of premature death in people with convulsive epilepsy in rural West China

Epilepsia. 2016 Jun;57(6):e117-20. doi: 10.1111/epi.13395. Epub 2016 May 4.

Abstract

This longitudinal prospective study updated a previous report on premature mortality and focused on the risk factors among patients with convulsive epilepsy in resource-poor settings. The present cohort size (7,231) and follow-up (mean 33.4 months) were expanded. The basic epidemiologic aspects of this cohort were similar to the original report (case fatality: 3.26% vs. 2.97%, respectively; injury contributed more than half of the deaths). Cox regression analysis suggested that male patients, late ages of onset (>45 years old), short duration of epilepsy (<10 years), and high convulsive seizure frequency (>2 per month) were independent risk factors for overall premature death. Male patients with late ages of onset and high seizure frequency had a higher risk of injury-specific death. This study emphasizes the preventable nature of injuries that are leading putative causes of death among people with convulsive epilepsy in rural West China. Education on specific populations and efficient seizure control are of paramount importance in reducing the risk of premature mortality.

Keywords: Epilepsy; Preventable cause of death; Risk factor.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use
  • Cause of Death
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • China / epidemiology
  • Cohort Studies
  • Epilepsy, Generalized / drug therapy
  • Epilepsy, Generalized / epidemiology*
  • Epilepsy, Generalized / mortality*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mortality, Premature / trends*
  • Regression Analysis
  • Risk Factors
  • Rural Population*
  • Sex Factors
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants