About 1 In 8 People Have Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

What was studied

This study combined results from 12 earlier studies to estimate how common drug-resistant epilepsy is in low- and middle-income countries. It was a systematic review and meta-analysis, meaning the researchers searched several medical databases and pooled the results of studies that had already been done.

The studies included people with epilepsy living in low- and middle-income countries. The researchers also examined whether the estimated prevalence of drug-resistant epilepsy differed by world region, country income level, age group, and the diagnostic criteria used in the studies.

What they found

Across the 12 studies, about 13.3% of people with epilepsy were estimated to have drug-resistant epilepsy. The 95% confidence interval was 9.6% to 18.0%, indicating uncertainty around that estimate.

Higher prevalence was observed in African countries, in upper-middle-income regions, and in pediatric-onset epilepsy compared with adult-onset epilepsy. The meta-regression found that publication year was significant, whereas income level alone was not.

Limits of the evidence

This study pooled results from earlier studies, so its findings depend on the quality and consistency of those studies. Only 12 studies were included, and the abstract indicates there was variability across studies.

Because this is a meta-analysis, it cannot by itself explain why some regions or groups had higher prevalence. The abstract also does not provide details about the size of each study or how well all low- and middle-income regions were represented.

For families and caregivers

For families, this study suggests that drug-resistant epilepsy may affect about 1 in 8 people with epilepsy in low- and middle-income countries.

The results also suggest that prevalence may differ by region and may be higher in people whose epilepsy began in childhood. Still, this paper does not tell us what will happen for any one child or adult.

What to watch next

More studies across a wider range of low- and middle-income countries, using consistent diagnostic criteria for drug-resistant epilepsy, would help clarify how prevalence varies by region, income level, and age group.

Terms in this summary

drug-resistant epilepsy

Epilepsy that does not come under control after trying appropriate seizure medicines.

systematic review

A study that carefully searches for and summarizes all relevant research on a question.

meta-analysis

A method that combines results from multiple studies to produce one overall estimate.

pooled prevalence

The combined estimate of how common a condition is across several studies.

95% confidence interval

A statistical range that shows where the true estimate is likely to fall.

meta-regression

A statistical method used to test whether study features, such as year or region, help explain differences in results.