Objective: To investigate the prevalence of epilepsy and its treatment gap in rural areas of China.
Methods: A door-to-door epidemiological survey on epilepsy was conducted among 55616 rural residents in 5 counties, each in a province (Heilongjiang, Ningxia, Shanxi, Henan, and Jiangsu) selected by random cluster sampling. All people diagnosed or suspected as epileptic during the screening phase were rechecked by neurologists.
Results: A definite diagnosis of epilepsy was made among 387 people with a prevalence rate 7.0 per thousand (age-adjusted rate 6.8 per thousand). The prevalence of active epilepsy was 4.6 per thousand, and the incidence of epilepsy was 28.8/100 000. Of the people with epilepsy, 40.6% had not been treated, 35.4% were treated irregularly. The treatment gap of active epilepsy was 62.6%.
Conclusion: The prevalence of epilepsy in the rural areas in China was much higher than it was reported previously. About two thirds of the patients with epilepsy has not received regular treatment. A rational intervention strategy should be developed as soon as possible.