Premature mortality in a Georgian cohort of people with epilepsy

Abstract

Mortality in people with epilepsy has not previously been estimated in Georgia. We identified a prevalent cohort of people with epilepsy from a tertiary referral centre in Tbilisi, Georgia and attempted to establish survivorship status for all. One-way sensitivity analysis estimating mortality rates in those lost to follow-up was also used. Of 1952 people, 1250 (64%) were located; 93 (7%) had died over a median of 11 years follow up. The main cause specific Proportional Mortality Ratios were: underlying diseases (39%) and accidental death (9%). One SUDEP was confirmed with a further 4 possible, but the cause of death was unknown in 47%. The overall SMR was 1.4, with much higher SMRs (up to 12) in young people. The sensitivity analysis suggested an SMR of 3.0.