An estimate of the prevalence of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures

Seizure. 2000 Jun;9(4):280-1. doi: 10.1053/seiz.2000.0409.

Abstract

The prevalence of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures is difficult to estimate. We propose an estimate based on a calculation. We used the following data, which are known or have been estimated, and are generally accepted. A prevalence of epilepsy of 0.5-1%; a proportion of intractable epilepsy of 20-30%; a percentage of these referred to epilepsy centers of 20-50%; and a percentage of patients referred to epilepsy centers that are psychogenic non-epileptic seizures: 10-20%. Using the low estimates, the prevalence of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures would be 1/50 000. Using the high estimates, the prevalence of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures would be 1/3000. The prevalence of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures is somewhere between 1/50 000 and 1/3000, or 2 to 33 per 100 000, making it a significant neurologic condition.

MeSH terms

  • Conversion Disorder / complications*
  • Conversion Disorder / epidemiology*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Models, Statistical
  • Prevalence
  • Seizures / epidemiology*
  • Seizures / etiology*
  • United States / epidemiology