Epilepsy prevalence and socioeconomic and socioeconomic deprivation in England

Whilst the link between epilepsy prevalence and socioeconomic deprivation is documented, the factors that comprise this deprivation are not understood. We aimed to investigate the association between epilepsy, individual elements of deprivation and geographical region. Analysis of epilepsy prevalence data, as recorded by general practitioners via the Quality and Outcomes Framework, and deprivation, as recorded by the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD), at Local Authority level for the population of England. Epilepsy prevalence was evaluated for correlation against all indicators within the IMD. Of the 37699503 patients in this study, 304331 were registered as having epilepsy (prevalence 0.80%(range 0.43%–1.16%)). We present maps illustrating epilepsy prevalence and IMD score and results of statistical analysis between these two variables. Positive correlation was seen with total IMD score (r=0.468, p<0.01); education skills and training (r=0.665, p<0.01); employment deprivation (r=0.629, p<0.01); health deprivation and disability (r=0.617, p<0.01); income deprivation (r=0.358, p<0.01); crime (r=0.232, p<0.01) but not living environment (r=0.079, p=0.08). Negative correlation was seen between epilepsy prevalence and barriers to housing and services (r=-0.415, p<0.01). When the data were analysed excluding London, all correlations were strengthened.