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Comorbidity Among Adults With Epilepsy — United States, 2021–2022
RESEARCH BRIEF — Volume 21 — December 19, 2024
PEER REVIEWED
Figure.
Percentage of adults with nonpsychiatric chronic conditions, by number of conditions and epilepsy status, National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2021 and 2022. Error bars indicate 95% CIs. Percentage was age standardized by using the 2000 US Census Bureau–projected US adult population with 3 age groups (18‒44 y, 45‒64 y, ≥65 y) (8). Chronic conditions included were hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, high cholesterol, diabetes, prediabetes, overweight, obesity, cancer, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, arthritis, difficulty remembering or concentrating, dementia, and immunosuppression. Adults with epilepsy (active or inactive) were more likely to report 4 or more chronic conditions than adults without epilepsy.
| Epilepsy status | Number of chronic conditions | % (95% CI) |
|---|---|---|
| No history of epilepsy | No chronic conditions | 16.5 (16.1-17.0) |
| No history of epilepsy | 1 chronic condition | 30.0 (29.5-30.5) |
| No history of epilepsy | 2 chronic conditions | 19.7 (19.4-20.1) |
| No history of epilepsy | 3 chronic conditions | 12.6 (12.3-12.9) |
| No history of epilepsy | ≥4 chronic conditions | 21.2 (20.8-21.6) |
| Any epilepsy | No chronic conditions | 4.5 (3.0-5.9) |
| Any epilepsy | 1 chronic condition | 17.6 (14.4-20.9) |
| Any epilepsy | 2 chronic conditions | 20.5 (17.4-23.7) |
| Any epilepsy | 3 chronic conditions | 14.4 (11.8-17.0) |
| Any epilepsy | ≥4 chronic conditions | 43.0 (39.1-46.8) |
| Active epilepsy | No chronic conditions | 3.7 (2.0-5.4) |
| Active epilepsy | 1 chronic condition | 16.9 (12.7-21.1) |
| Active epilepsy | 2 chronic conditions | 20.5 (16.5-24.6) |
| Active epilepsy | 3 chronic conditions | 15.3 (12.0-18.6) |
| Active epilepsy | ≥4 chronic conditions | 43.6 (38.9-48.3) |
| Inactive epilepsy | No chronic conditions | 5.9 (3.1-8.7) |
| Inactive epilepsy | 1 chronic condition | 19.3 (14.1-24.5) |
| Inactive epilepsy | 2 chronic conditions | 20.9 (15.8-25.9) |
| Inactive epilepsy | 3 chronic conditions | 13.1 (9.0-17.3) |
| Inactive epilepsy | ≥4 chronic conditions | 40.9 (34.5-47.2) |
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