Incidence of adult epilepsy in Estonia.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the main incidence-related characteristics of epilepsy in an adult population in Estonia. Epidemiologic data about epilepsy from central and eastern Europe is controversial.


METHODS
All existing databases and lists in the area were reviewed to identify all persons with newly diagnosed epilepsy aged > or =20 years during 3 years. Special attention was paid to extensive adoption of definitions and criteria proposed by Guidelines for epidemiologic studies.


RESULTS
Crude and age-adjusted incidence rates were 35 per 100,000 person-years. The age-specific rates tended to increase with advancing age. Of the seizure types, partial seizures had highest rates, 27 per 100,000. The largest syndromic categories were localization-related epilepsies. Risk factors for epilepsy were identified in 55.5% cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Incidence-related characteristics in the adult population of Tartu was comparable with those reported from the developed countries. The predominance of localization-related syndromes and partial seizures is the result of age distribution of the study.
Oun
A
A
Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University of Tartu, Estonia. andre.oun@klinikum.ee
Haldre
S
S
Mägi
M
M
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D004957:Estonia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution