EXAMPLE EPIDEMIOLOGY REPORT

EPILEPSY

I.

Description:

a.

II.

epilepsy is a physical condition that occurs when there is a sudden, brief change in how
the brain works.
b. When brain cells are not working properly, a person's consciousness, movement, or
actions may be altered for a short time. These physical changes are called epileptic
seizures.
c. Epilepsy is therefore sometimes called a seizure disorder. Epilepsy also affects people in
all nations and of all races.
Incidence/Distribution:

a.

III.

200,000 new cases of epilepsy are diagnosed each year. Incidence is highest under the
age of 2 and over 65. 45,000 children under the age of 15 develop epilepsy each year.
b. Males are slightly more likely to develop epilepsy than females. Incidence is greater in
African American and socially disadvantaged populations. Trend shows decreased
incidence in children; increased incidence in the elderly.
Cause of Disease (Etiology):

a.

IV.

The reasons why epilepsy begins are different for people of different ages. But what's true
for every age is that the cause is unknown for about half of everyone with epilepsy.
b. Children may be born with a defect in the structure of their brain, or they may suffer a
head injury or infection that causes their epilepsy. Severe head injury is the most common
known cause in young adults. In middle age, strokes, tumors, and injuries are more
frequent. In people over 65, stroke is the most common known cause, followed by
degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease
Transmission:

a.

V.

The only way that epilepsy can be transmitted is through family. Many types of epilepsy
tend to run in families, and some have been traced to an abnormality in a specific gene.
These genetic abnormalities can cause subtle changes in the way the body processes
calcium, potassium, sodium, and other body chemicals, causing epileptic symptoms.
Symptoms:

a.

VI.

Seizures are the only visible symptom of epilepsy. There are different kinds of seizures,
and symptoms of each type can affect people differently. Seizures typically last from a few
seconds to a few minutes. You may remain alert during the seizure or lose consciousness.
You may not remember what happened during the seizure or may not even realize you
had a seizure.
b. Seizures that make you fall to the ground or make the muscles stiffen or jerk out of control
are easy to recognize. But many seizures do not involve these reactions and may be
harder to notice. Some seizures make you stare into space for a few seconds. Others may
consist only of a few muscle twitches, a turn of the head, or a strange smell or visual
disturbance that only you sense.
c. Epileptic seizures often happen without warning, although some people may have an aura
at the beginning of a seizure. A seizure ends when the abnormal electrical activity in the
brain stops and brain activity begins to return to normal. Seizures may be either partial or
generalized.
Diagnosis/Detection:

a.

The first step in making a diagnosis of epilepsy is a complete medical history. The doctor
will ask questions about:

Whether the person or the person's family has a history of seizures.

What the seizure looked like.

What happened just before the seizure began.

Possible causes other than epilepsy, such as alcohol withdrawal, infections, head
injury, or drug abuse.

b.
c.

VII.

Prognosis/Treatment:

a.

b.
c.

VIII.

Current treatment options can control seizures for about 80% of the people in the United
States who have epilepsy. Once a diagnosis of epilepsy is established, it is important to
begin treatment right away. The longer treatment is delayed, the more difficult the epilepsy
is to treat.
Antiepileptic medication, surgery, vagus nerve stimulation, and diet are all ways to treat
epilepsy.
In short, there is very little in life that having epilepsy should prevent you from doing. There
are, however, some distinct areas of life that may be affected by epilepsy:

Social and behavior problems

Driving

Recreation

Sexuality

Pregnancy

Resources:

a.
b.
IX.

Because some people with seizure disorders can't always remember what happened just
before or during a seizure, a family member may also be asked for details.
A number of tests will be ordered to confirm the diagnosis of epilepsy. These include:

Electroencephalography

Brain imaging (CT, MRI, PET)

Blood tests

Developmental, neurological, and behavioral tests

Epilepsy Foundation of America

Epilepsy Therapy project

References:

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org
http://www.ehealthmd.com
http://www.webmd.com
www.nlm.nih.gov
www.cdc.gov/epilepsy