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Incidence of Psychogenic Seizures in Adults: A Population‐Based Study in Iceland
Author(s) -
Sigurdardottir Katrin Ruth,
Olafsson Elias
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
epilepsia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.687
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1528-1167
pISSN - 0013-9580
DOI - 10.1111/j.1528-1157.1998.tb01161.x
Subject(s) - incidence (geometry) , psychogenic disease , epilepsy , medicine , pediatrics , population , demography , psychiatry , physics , environmental health , optics , sociology
Summary:Purpose: We wished to determine the incidence of psychogenic nonepileptic (NES) seizures in a population‐based study. Methods: Cases were identified through review of the results of all long‐term video‐EEG studies made in Iceland during the study period. Results: The incidence of NES was 1.4 in 100,000 person‐years of observation. Age‐specific incidence was highest in the youngest age group (age 15–24 years) and decreased thereafter. A strong female preponderance was observed. Conclusions: The incidence of NES is equal to almost 4% of that reported for epilepsy from Iceland for persons aged ≥15 years. For people aged 15–24 years, the incidence of NES is equal to −5% of the incidence of epilepsy. Half the patients also had epilepsy.