Abstract

The aim of the study was to estimate the incidence and prevalence of active epilepsy in an adult population in Tartu, Estonia, and to estimate the patterns of antiepileptic treatment in Tartu. Special attention was paid to the extensive adoption of the definitions and criteria proposed by Guidelines for epidemiologic studies. The incidence rate was 35 per 100,000 person-years. The age-specific rates tended to increase with advancing age. The prevalence rate was 5.3 per 1,000. The largest syndromic categories were localization-related symptomatic and cryptogenic epilepsies, which are very likely due to the age distribution of the study. The risk factors for epilepsy were identified in 39.6% of the prevalent cases. Of the subjects 19% did not take an antiepileptic drug (AED) on the prevalence day. Of those on medication 83% were taking a single drug, 15% were taking two drugs, and 2% were taking three drugs. The most frequently prescribed agent was carbamazepine (68%), followed by barbiturates. Valproate and phenytoin were much less used. The high figure of AED free cases, and the small percentage of polytherapy probably indicates a tendency for undertreatment. The study design and its impact on the interpretation of results is discussed.