Missed, mistaken, stalled: Identifying components of delay to diagnosis in epilepsy

Abstract

A substantial proportion of individuals with newly diagnosed epilepsy report prior seizures, suggesting a missed opportunity for early epilepsy care and management. Consideration of the causes and outcomes of diagnostic delay is needed to address this issue. We aimed to review the literature pertaining to delay to diagnosis of epilepsy, describing the components, characteristics, and risk factors for delay. We undertook a systematic search of the literature for full-length original research papers with a focus on diagnostic delay or seizures before diagnosis, published 1998–2020. Findings were collated, and a narrative review was undertaken. Seventeen papers met the inclusion criteria. Studi..