Epidemiology

In Europe, the annual incidence rates of generalised convulsive status epilepticus range from 3.6 to 6.6 per 100,000 population. (1)

• the incidence of SE has a bimodal distribution
  • the first peak seen during the first year of life while the second peak occurring after the age of 60 years
  • among adults, the highest risk of developing SE is seen in patients older than 60, with an incidence of 86 per 100,000 persons per year
  • among children, the highest incidence and prevalence of SE was observed in babies less than 12 months (1)

Status epilepticus occurs most frequently in patients without a prior diagnosis of epilepsy;

• 5% of adults with epilepsy will experience at least one episode of status epilepticus
• the common causes of status epilepticus in a patient with a prior diagnosis of epilepsy are:
  • drug withdrawal
  • intercurrent illness
  • metabolic disturbance
  • progression of the underlying disease

Overall mortality associated with status epilepticus approaches 20% and does not appear to be changing with time. (2).

Reference:

1. Meierkord H, Boon P, Engelsen B, et al. EFNS guideline on the management of status epilepticus in adults. Eur J Neurol. 2010 Mar;17(3):348-55.
2. Betjemann JP, Lowenstein DH. Status epilepticus in adults. Lancet Neurol. 2015 Jun;14(6):615-24.