Abstract
BACKGROUND: Epilepsy is a prevalent neurological condition that greatly affects the quality of life of those affected, with increasing rates of incidence and prevalence. This study aims to evaluate the global, regional, and national burdens of idiopathic epilepsy (IE) in individuals aged 15 to 49 from 1990 to 2021 via data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study and to project trends through 2035. METHODS: Using the GBD database 2021, we assessed the burden of IE through metrics involving incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Statistical methods included joinpoint regression for annual percent change (APC), estimated annual percentage change (EAPC), and Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) modeling for projections. RESULTS: In 2021, there were 11.48 million (95% UI, 8.35-14.75) young adults with IE, with global incidence, prevalence, mortality and DALY rates of 37.57 (95% UI, 26.28-50.70), 290.83 (211.42-373.58), 1.64 (1.38-1.83) and 185.09 (144.06-230.00) per 100,000 people, respectively. From 1990 to 2021, incidence and prevalence rates increased by 8.51% and 5.7%, respectively, but these increases were not statistically significant. In contrast, mortality and DALY rates significantly decreased by 15.42% and 12.67%, respectively. The 15-19 age group consistently had the highest incidence and prevalence rates, which declined with age. Regionally, high sociodemographic index (SDI) areas consistently presented the highest incidence and prevalence rates, whereas low-SDI regions always exhibited the highest mortality and DALY rates. Besides, males presented higher mortality rates than females. Forecasts for 2035 suggested that the global incidence and prevalence rates of IE would keep rising, whereas mortality and DALY rates were projected to decline. CONCLUSION: The global burden of IE among young adults remains substantial. To effectively address the evolving global impact of this neurological disorder, it is crucial to prioritize policies and allocate resources accordingly. This will enable the implementation of targeted interventions aimed at improving healthcare access, promoting early diagnosis, and providing treatment in low-resource areas, ultimately reducing future burdens.