Abstracts

Rationale: Epilepsy affects almost 2% of the U.S. population, however few studies provide prevalence estimates for low-income and minority populations. Using a multi-mode data collection model, we sought to determine epilepsy prevalence estimates for subgroups in Washington, DC, a racially and socio-economically diverse community. Methods: Probability-based sampling was used to select 20,000 DC addresses. Sample households were asked to complete a short screener by mail or web, and later by phone, regarding demographics and epilepsy status of each resident. Nonrespondents were contacted again and offered an increase in incentive to complete the screener. Respondents of all ages with a history of epilepsy were sent a questionnaire which asked about their seizures, treatment, and co-morbidities. Screener data were weighted using the March 2009 supplement of the Census Bureau s Current Population Survey to reflect the entire DC population of 581,847. Results: 6,447 households representing 12,894 individuals (10,753 adults and 2,141 children) responded to the screener for a response rate of 35% after adjusting for undeliverable mail. Individuals were 39% White, 47% Black, 6% Hispanic, and 8% Other race/ethnicity. 208 (174 adults and 34 children) cases with a history of epilepsy were identified. Of these, 69% reported having a seizure disorder but not epilepsy. The overall weighted prevalence of epilepsy was 1.8%, active epilepsy was 0.9% and incidence of epilepsy was 64/100,000. Blacks had a higher prevalence (2.4%) than Whites (1.0%, p<.001) and a higher incidence (109/100,000) compared to Whites (34/100,000, p<.001). The incidence of epilepsy was bi-modal with the highest rate in children <3 years of age and a lower rate of new cases in the elderly. Adult residents living in DC for <3 years had a prevalence of 0.9% compared to 2.0% for those living in DC for >