The World Health Organisation (WHO) says about 50 million people worldwide are living with epilepsy, with nearly 80 per cent residing in low- and middle-income countries where access to diagnosis and treatment remains limited.
The global health body disclosed this in a fact sheet released on its X account on Tuesday. It described epilepsy as one of the world’s most common neurological disorders and said up to 70 per cent of people living with the condition could become seizure-free with timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
“Seizures can be controlled. Up to 70% of people living with epilepsy could become seizure free with appropriate use of antiseizure medicines. Discontinuing antiseizure medicine can be considered after 2 years without seizures and should take into account relevant clinical, social and personal factors,” WHO said.
WHO described epilepsy as a chronic, non-communicable disease of the brain characterised by recurrent seizures caused by abnormal electrical activity in brain cells. It noted that a single seizure does not necessarily indicate epilepsy, which is diagnosed after two or more unprovoked seizures.
The organisation also warned that people living with epilepsy face a risk of premature death up to three times higher than the general population. It said preventable causes such as falls, drowning, burns and prolonged seizures account for many of the deaths, particularly in low-income countries.
WHO further stated that about three-quarters of people with epilepsy in low-income countries do not receive the treatment they need because of shortages of anti-seizure medicines, inadequate healthcare services and limited access to trained medical personnel.
“In low-income countries, about three quarters of people with epilepsy may not receive the treatment they need. This is called the “treatment gap”. In many low- and middle-income countries, there is low availability of antiseizure medicines,” WHO said.
According to the organisation, nearly five million new epilepsy cases are diagnosed globally each year. It attributed the higher incidence in low- and middle-income countries to birth injuries, severe head trauma, stroke, brain infections such as meningitis, malaria and neurocysticercosis, as well as weaker healthcare systems.
WHO said the cause of epilepsy remains unknown in about half of all cases. However, it noted that the condition can also result from genetic disorders, congenital abnormalities, brain tumours, metabolic disorders and immune-related diseases.
The organisation added that most epilepsy cases can be diagnosed and treated at the primary healthcare level without sophisticated equipment. It said training frontline health workers has proved effective in reducing the treatment gap in several countries.
“WHO pilot projects have indicated that training primary health-care providers to diagnose and treat epilepsy can effectively reduce the epilepsy treatment gap. Surgery might be beneficial to patients who respond poorly to drug treatments.
“A recent study found the average availability of generic antiseizure medicines in the public sector of low- and middle-income countries to be less than 50%. This may act as a barrier to accessing treatment. It is possible to diagnose and treat most people with epilepsy at the primary health-care level without the use of sophisticated equipment,” the global health body said.
WHO also estimated that about 25 per cent of epilepsy cases are preventable through improved maternal and newborn care, prevention of head injuries, better control of cardiovascular diseases, treatment of infections affecting the brain and reducing risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption.
“Preventing head injury, for example by reducing falls, traffic accidents and sports injuries, is the most effective way to prevent post-traumatic epilepsy. Adequate perinatal care can reduce new cases of epilepsy caused by birth injury.
“The use of drugs and other methods to lower the body temperature of a feverish child can reduce the chance of febrile seizures. The prevention of epilepsy associated with stroke is focused on cardiovascular risk factor reduction, e.g. measures to prevent or control high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity, and the avoidance of tobacco and excessive alcohol use,” WHO cautioned.
Beyond its health impact, WHO said epilepsy contributes significantly to the global disease burden through increased healthcare costs, lost productivity and premature deaths.
The organisation added that stigma, discrimination and misconceptions continue to deny many people living with epilepsy equal access to education, employment, driving licences, insurance and other basic rights. It urged countries to strengthen legal protections and expand access to quality care.
