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Diseases

Global Burden of Idiopathic Epilepsy in Young Adults: A Study from Nanjing University

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Epilepsy is a widespread neurological condition that significantly affects the quality of life of those affected, with increasing rates of incidence and prevalence. A recent study published in the BMC Neurology journal has evaluated the global, regional, and national burdens of idiopathic epilepsy (IE) in individuals aged 15 to 49 from 1990 to 2021 and projected trends through 2035. The study used data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study and statistical methods, including joinpoint regression, estimated annual percentage change (EAPC), and Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) modeling for projections.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that there were 11.48 million (95% UI, 8.35-14.75) young adults with IE in 2021, with global incidence, prevalence, mortality, and DALY rates of 37.57 (95% UI, 26.28-50.70), 290.83 (211.42-373.58), 1.64 (1.38-1.83) and 185.09 (144.06-230.00) per 100,000 people, respectively.
  • The incidence and prevalence rates increased by 8.51% and 5.7%, respectively, from 1990 to 2021, but these increases were not statistically significant.
  • Mortality and DALY rates significantly decreased by 15.42% and 12.67%, respectively, from 1990 to 2021.
  • The 15-19 age group consistently had the highest incidence and prevalence rates, which declined with age.
  • Regionally, high sociodemographic index (SDI) areas consistently presented the highest incidence and prevalence rates, whereas low-SDI regions always exhibited the highest mortality and DALY rates.
  • Males presented higher mortality rates than females.
  • Forecasts for 2035 suggested that the global incidence and prevalence rates of IE would keep rising, whereas mortality and DALY rates were projected to decline.

Statistics:

  • 11.48 million (95% UI, 8.35-14.75) young adults with IE in 2021
  • Global incidence, prevalence, mortality, and DALY rates of 37.57 (95% UI, 26.28-50.70), 290.83 (211.42-373.58), 1.64 (1.38-1.83) and 185.09 (144.06-230.00) per 100,000 people, respectively
  • Incidence and prevalence rates increased by 8.51% and 5.7%, respectively, from 1990 to 2021
  • Mortality and DALY rates decreased by 15.42% and 12.67%, respectively, from 1990 to 2021
  • Forecasted global incidence and prevalence rates of IE in 2035: 42.65 (95% UI, 31.45-55.87) and 333.45 (233.88-441.67) per 100,000 people, respectively
  • Forecasted global mortality and DALY rates of IE in 2035: 1.03 (0.88-1.13) and 127.14 (96.23-158.08) per 100,000 people, respectively

Sources:

  • Global Burden trends of idiopathic epilepsy in young adults from 1990 to 2035: based on the global burden of disease study 2021. BMC Neurology, 2025;25(1):415.
  • NewsRx. Study Findings from Nanjing University Provide New Insights into Epilepsy (Global burden trends of idiopathic epilepsy in young adults from 1990 to 2035: based on the global burden of disease study 2021). Health & Medicine Week. October 24, 2025; p 7972.

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