Incidence of psychogenic seizures in adults: a population-based study in Iceland.
OBJECTIVE
We wished to determine the incidence of psychogenic nonepileptic (NES) seizures in a population-based study.


METHODS
Cases were identified through review of the results of all long-term video-EEG studies made in Iceland during the study period.


RESULTS
The incidence of NES was 1.4 in 100,000 person-years of observation. Age-specific incidence was highest in the youngest age group (age 15-24 years) and decreased thereafter. A strong female preponderance was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of NES is equal to almost 4% of that reported for epilepsy from Iceland for persons aged > or = 15 years. For people aged 15-24 years, the incidence of NES is equal to approximately 5% of the incidence of epilepsy. Half the patients also had epilepsy.
Department of Neurology, National University Hospital (Landspitalinn), Reykjavik, Iceland.
K R
KR
Sigurdardottir
E
E
Olafsson
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000367:Age Factors; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007055:Iceland / Q000453:epidemiology; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012640:Seizures / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014743:Videotape Recording