Deaths Related to Epilepsy in the United States

Abstract

The number of deaths due to and all deaths related to epilepsy in the US, by age, sex, and race for 1971 and 1973 through 1978 were calculated based on data collected by the US National Center for Health Statistics. The average annual age-adjusted rates (adjusted to 1970 US population) for all deaths related to epilepsy (i.e., with epilepsy as the underlying, immediate, associated, or contributory cause of death) are more than double the corresponding rates for deaths due to epilepsy (i.e., with epilepsy as the underlying cause of death). Rates for patients dying due to epilepsy remain relatively unchanged with age; but for all deaths related to epilepsy, rates increase with advancing age. For deaths due to and all deaths related to epilepsy, rates for either sex are higher in nonwhites; and for either race, are higher for males. The leading registered causes of death for those in whom death is related to epilepsy are: epilepsy, status epilepticus, heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and respiratory disease.