Excess mortality and hospitalized morbidity in newly treated epilepsy patients

Abstract

Objective: To assess the burden of mortality and hospitalized morbidity in newly treated epilepsy patients. Methods: We extracted relevant data of patients with newly treated epilepsy between September 16, 2005, and September 15, 2010, from the data repository covering all public hospitals in Hong Kong. Patients were followed up until September 15, 2011. Mortality and hospitalized morbidity were assessed, stratified by baseline comorbidities, number of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) used, and treatment with enzyme-inducing AEDs (EIAEDs). Mortality was compared to the age-and sex-specific general population in Hong Kong. Results: Of the 7,461 newly treated epilepsy patients (55% male; median age ..