A historical perspective on the mortality associated with chronic epilepsy.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the secular trend in the mortality associated with chronic epilepsy.


METHODS
Using data from the Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, UK, a residential centre for people with epilepsy, we determined the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) in the Chalfont population for each 5-year epoch from 1896 to 1965.


RESULTS
The SMR was found to be between 2 and 3 for most 5 year epochs from 1896 to 1965.


CONCLUSIONS
Changes in the average age and disability of the residents at the Chalfont Centre confound a definite conclusion, but the evidence suggests the possibility that an excess mortality has been associated with chronic epilepsy for 100 years despite major changes in treatment.
O'Donoghue
M F
MF
Epilepsy Research Group, Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom.
Sander
J W
JW
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000266:history / Q000401:mortality*; D005260:Female; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality / Q000639:trends; D016019:Survival Analysis