Epilepsy in Asia: Disease burden, management barriers, and challenges

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Abstract

This article reviews the burden of epilepsy in Asia, the challenges faced by people with epilepsy, and the management of epilepsy. Comparison is made with other parts of the world. For this narrative review, data were collected using specified search criteria. Articles investigating the epidemiology of epilepsy, diagnosis, comorbidities and associated mortality, stigmatization, and treatment were included. Epilepsy is a global health care issue affecting up to 70 million people worldwide. Nearly 80% of people with epilepsy live in low- and middle-income countries with limited resources. People with epilepsy are prone to physical and psychological comorbidities, including anxiety and depression, which can negatively impact their quality of life. Furthermore, people with epilepsy are at higher risk of premature death than people without epilepsy. Discrimination or stigmatization of people with epilepsy is common in Asia and can affect their education, work, and marriage opportunities. Access to epilepsy treatment varies throughout Asia. Although highly advanced treatment is available in some countries, up to 90% of people with epilepsy are not adequately treated or are not treated with conventional antiepileptic therapy in resource-limited countries. People in remote areas often do not receive any epilepsy care. First-generation antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are available, but usually only in urban areas, and second-generation AEDs are not available in all countries. Newer AEDs tend to have more favorable safety profiles than first-generation AEDs and provide options to tailor therapy for individual patients, especially those with comorbidities. Active epilepsy surgery centers are present in some countries, although epilepsy surgery is often underutilized given the number of patients who could benefit. Further epidemiologic research is needed to provide accurate epilepsy data across the Asian region. Coordinated action is warranted to improve access to treatment and care.

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Epidemiology, aetiology, and clinical management of epilepsy in Asia: a systematic review.

Edward C. T. H. Tan, Thach Duc Tran, Tu Mac … (2007)

Epilepsy is a significant, but often underappreciated, health problem in Asia. Here, we systematically review the literature on epidemiology, aetiology, and management of epilepsy in 23 Asian countries. Prevalence estimates are available for only 11 countries from door-to-door surveys and are generally low. Figures for annual incidence in China and India are similar to those in the USA and Europe but lower than those reported from Africa and Latin America. There is a peak in incidence and prevalence in childhood, but a second peak in elderly people, as seen in developed countries, has not been documented. The main causes are head injuries, cerebrovascular disease, CNS infections, and birth trauma. Availability of epilepsy care depends largely on economic factors. Imaging and neurophysiological facilities are available in most countries, but often only in urban centres. Costly drugs, a large treatment gap, limited epilepsy surgery, and negative public attitude to epilepsy are other notable features of management in Asia. An understanding of the psychosocial, cultural, economic, organisational, and political factors influencing epilepsy causation, management, and outcome should be of high priority for future investigations.

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Neuropsychological effects of epilepsy and antiepileptic drugs.

Patrick Kwan, Martin J Brodie (2001)

Epilepsy and its treatment can have deleterious cognitive and behavioural consequences. Affected individuals have a higher prevalence of neuropsychological dysfunction than the general population because of complex interactions among several multifaceted and overlapping influences--for example, underlying neuropathologies, ictal and interictal neuronal discharges, a plethora of antiepileptic drugs, and numerous psychosocial issues. Research into the clinical relevance of these factors has been dogged by a range of methodological pitfalls including lack of standardisation of neuropsychological tests, small numbers and multiple testing, and statistical failure to appreciate differential effects of interactive elements in individual patients. Although antiepileptic drugs can impair neuropsychological functioning, their positive effect on seizure control might improve cognition and behaviour. Each person should be assessed individually with respect to factors unique to his or her seizure disorder and its treatment.

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Depression and Anxiety in People with Epilepsy

Oh-Young Kwon, Sung-Pa Park (2014)

Many recent epidemiological studies have found the prevalence of depression and anxiety to be higher in people with epilepsy (PWE) than in people without epilepsy. Furthermore, people with depression or anxiety have been more likely to suffer from epilepsy than those without depression or anxiety. Almost one-third of PWE suffer from depression and anxiety, which is similar to the prevalence of drug-refractory epilepsy. Various brain areas, including the frontal, temporal, and limbic regions, are associated with the biological pathogenesis of depression in PWE. It has been suggested that structural abnormalities, monoamine pathways, cerebral glucose metabolism, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and interleukin-1b are associated with the pathogenesis of depression in PWE. The amygdala and the hippocampus are important anatomical structures related to anxiety, and γ-aminobutyric acid and serotonin are associated with its pathogenesis. Depression and anxiety may lead to suicidal ideation or attempts and feelings of stigmatization. These experiences are also likely to increase the adverse effects associated with antiepileptic drugs and have been related to poor responses to pharmacological and surgical treatments. Ultimately, the quality of life is likely to be worse in PWE with depression and anxiety than in PWE without these disorders, which makes the early detection and appropriate management of depression and anxiety in PWE indispensable. Simple screening instruments may be helpful for in this regard, particularly in busy epilepsy clinics. Although both medical and psychobehavioral therapies may ameliorate these conditions, randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm that.

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Author and article information

Journal

Title: Epilepsia

Abbreviated Title: Epilepsia

Publisher: Wiley

ISSN: 00139580

Publication date Created: March 2019

Publication date (Print): March 2019

Publication date (Electronic): June 28 2018

Volume: 60

Pages: 7-21

Affiliations

[1 ]Department of Neurology; Christian Doppler Klinik; University Hospital Paracelsus Medical University; Salzburg Austria

[2 ]Institute of Public Health; Medical Decision Making, and Health Technology Assessment; University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics, and Technology; Hall in Tyrol Austria

[3 ]Departments of Medicine and Neurology; University of Melbourne; Royal Melbourne Hospital; Melbourne Victoria Australia

[4 ]Department of Neurology; Inje University School of Medicine; Haeundae Paik Hospital; Busan South Korea

[5 ]Eisai Singapore Pte Ltd; Singapore