AN UPDATE ON THE PREVALENCE AND INCIDENCE OF EPILEPSY AMONG OLDER ADULTS

This study is based on the estimation of incidence and prevalence of epilepsy among “Arizona Medicare” legatees which aged over 65 years. Basic analysis of Medicare administration claimed data regarding 2009-2011 (specifically for the State of Arizona) was accompanied. According to this data, epilepsy was recognized as a beneficiary who basically had either ≥ one entitlement with the code of 345.xx epilepsy code or two further claims with a specific code of 780.3x (seizure) ≥ 30 days apart period. Psychiatric and stroke-related comorbidities were regulated by the diagnostic codes. Incidence and prevalence of regarding annual average were also stratified and measures by characteristic and comorbidities’ demography. OR (or Odds Ratios) and confidence intervals of 95% (CI) were measured as processes of prevalence effect and incidence, furthermore, chi-square statistic was intended to compare the epilepsy cases proportions either with or without comorbidities (alpha=0.05). Entire incidence and prevalence annual average according to the period of study was 6.1/1000 and 15.2/1000 respectively. White beneficiaries, specifical relevance to the age group from 65 to 69 years of age, the maximum prevalence was detected 85 years (which was 19.8/1000, OR 1.66, with confidence interval CI 95%, 1.53-1.81) and for Native Americans (21.2/1000 or 1.42, with confidence interval 95% 1.25-1.62). On the contrary, the rates of maximum incidence were determined for 85 years old beneficiaries and older (8.5/1000 which is 1.82, with confidence interval CI 95%, 1.60-2.07) and finally for Black beneficiaries (there is 8.7/100 which is 1.44, with confidence interval CI 95%, 1.12-1.86). Epilepsy is basically an important neurological sickness in between “Medicare Beneficiaries” of 65 years and older. There is a high rate of epilepsy with 85 years of beneficiaries, specifically for Native Americans and Black beneficiaries as compare with other demographic sub-groups than White Beneficiaries. Keywords: Epilepsy, Prevalence, Incidence, Comorbidities, Medicar