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Epilepsy

Financial Distress Among Individuals with Epilepsy

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Research on the prevalence of financial distress among individuals with epilepsy has shown that a substantial proportion of individuals with active epilepsy experience financial hardship. A study published in the journal Seizure found that several factors, including female sex, Hispanic ethnicity, education level, and comorbidities, were significantly associated with higher odds of financial distress among those with active epilepsy.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study analyzed data from the 2021 and 2022 National Health Interview Survey, representing a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults.
  • Individuals with active epilepsy were found to experience financial distress at a rate of 1.03 times that of those without epilepsy, with a 95% confidence interval of 0.87-1.22 (p = 0.76).
  • Factors associated with higher odds of financial distress among those with active epilepsy include:

+ Female sex (OR=1.38, 95% CI: 1.32-1.44)

+ Hispanic ethnicity (OR=1.72, 95% CI: 1.61-1.85)

+ Having a high school degree or less (OR=1.34, 95% CI: 1.26-1.41)

+ One or more annual hospitalizations (OR=1.33, 95% CI: 1.27-1.40)

+ Multiple comorbidities (OR=1.76, 95% CI: 1.60-1.93)

  • The study concluded that system-level policies and patient-level strategies are needed to expand access and improve financial navigation among individuals with epilepsy.

Statistics:

  • 1.03: the odds ratio of financial distress among individuals with active epilepsy compared to those without epilepsy
  • 0.87-1.22: the 95% confidence interval (CI) of the odds ratio
  • 76: the p-value indicating no significant association between epilepsy status and financial distress
  • 1.38: the odds ratio of financial distress among females with active epilepsy
  • 1.72: the odds ratio of financial distress among Hispanic individuals with active epilepsy
  • 1.34: the odds ratio of financial distress among individuals with a high school degree or less
  • 1.33: the odds ratio of financial distress among individuals with one or more annual hospitalizations
  • 1.76: the odds ratio of financial distress among individuals with multiple comorbidities
  • 29-36: the page range of the research article in the journal Seizure

Sources:

  • Seizure, 2025;133:29-36
  • Financial distress among individuals with epilepsy: Insights from a nationwide survey analysis
  • W B Saunders Co Ltd, 32 Jamestown Rd, London NW1 7BY, England
  • Elsevier, www.elsevier.com
  • Jaan K. Nandwani, Leah Blank, Benjamin R. Kummer, and Parul Agarwal
  • Soonmyung A. Hwang, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States

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