Epilepsy in Chile: Description of the rate of hospital discharges for epilepsy between 2002 and 2019

Abstract

Introduction: Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder marked by a predisposition to recurrent abnormal neuronal discharges, manifesting in a variety of clinical presentations. It affects almost 52 million people worldwide. Objective: To describe the epidemiology of epilepsy in Chile from 2002 to 2019, by calculating the hospital discharge rate and analyzing trends by time, sex, age group, and region. Methodology: Descriptive, observational, cross sectional analysis of all hospital discharges coded for epilepsy in Chile between 2002 and 2019, using data from the Department of Health Statistics and Information. Result: The national hospital discharge rate rose by 28,5% from 2002 to 2018. Males exhibited a 1,28 fold-higher risk of discharge than females. Age specific analysis revealed the highest hospital discharge rate in children aged 0-4 years, followed by those aged 5-9 years and adults aged 80 years and over. Regionally, Magallanes showed the highest hospital discharge rate, whereas Coquimbo had the lowest. Discussion: The overall increase in discharges may reflect expanded access to diagnostic studies and the 2014 clinical redefinition of epilepsy. Sex disparities could stem from a greater incidence of trauma, cerebrovascular events, and infections among men. The bimodal age distribution likely corresponds to perinatal risk factors in infants and vascular-degenerative comorbidities in the elderly. Geographic variations suggest underlying socioeconomic and diagnostic inequities. Conclusion: Epilepsy-related hospital discharges in Chile have increased and vary markedly by age, sex, and region. Identification of modifiable risk factors is crucial to inform targeted preventive policies and optimal allocation of health resources.