Abstracts

Rationale: Epilepsy is a common disorder with a prevalence of approximately 6.4 per 1,000. A recent study conducted by CDC in Tennessee suggested that up to 2.1% of the population may be affected in Tennessee. We examine the incidence of epilepsy and seizures and its association by race and age among adult patients hospitalized for epilepsy and seizures from 1998-2005 in the state of Tennessee, USA. There are reports of African American being more prone to seizure recurrence compared to White Americans. Methods: We reviewed the data and relevant data from Tennessee Hospital Discharge Data System (HDDS: 1998-2005) along with the ICD-9 codes for Epilepsy (345.0-9) and seizures (780.39) were extracted on adults (aged 18-64) and elderly (aged 65 and above) and were stratified by the race. The rate was calculated by referring to the population estimates in the relative years from Tennessee Department of Health. Results: The rate for primary epilepsy and seizures for all adult patients in Tennessee in 1998 was 58.12/100,000 population which increased to 77.99/100,000 population in 2005. The rate of primary epilepsy and seizures in Tennessee in all adults in 1998 was 99.40/100,000 for the African Americans compared to 50.81/100,000 for whites (p<0.0001). The rate of primary epilepsy and seizures in all adults in 2005 was 124.33/100,000 for the African Americans compared to 69.63/100,000 for whites (p<0.0001). The rate of primary epilepsy and seizures in Tennessee in all adults 18 ≤ age <65 in 1998 was 44.75/100,000 while for the elderly age ≥ 65 the rate in 1998 was 125.05/100,000 (p<0.0001). The rate of primary epilepsy and seizures in all adults 18 ≤ age <65 in 2005 was 69.32/100,000 while for the elderly age ≥ 65 the rate in 2005 was 120.93/100,000 (p<0.0001).