If you - or someone you care for - have recently been diagnosed with a seizure disorder, you might be wondering about epilepsy life expectancy.
If you’re concerned about epilepsy life expectancy, talk with your doctor. This article provides a general overview of the issues.
Do people with epilepsy have lower life expectancy?
There isn’t a simple answer to this question.
‘Epilepsy’ includes many different syndromes (or ‘types’) of disease, with varying levels of severity. It can be caused by different things and begin at different times of life. And different individuals may respond more or less well to treatment. These - and other - factors mean it’s hard to make generalizations.
There is relatively little research into life expectancy with epilepsy. Of the studies that have been done, they took place in very different countries with very different populations and healthcare systems. So it’s difficult to draw general conclusions.
One 2023 study in Denmark found evidence that people with epilepsy lived 10-12 years less than the average population in that country. However, findings from a country like Denmark might not be so relevant to experiences in other places.
In the United States, a 2024 study into mortality rates among patients with epilepsy in Mississippi, found the mean age of death was almost 16 years younger in people with epilepsy than those who did not have it. But again, Mississippi is not necessarily easy to compare with other US states.
On the other hand, a study in Austria published in 2017 found evidence that people who were diagnosed with some types of epilepsy between 2001 and 2010 actually lived longer than the general population (2.5 years more for women and 3.4 for men). But again, Austria is a relatively small country and it’s difficult to make comparisons with other places.
Related: How does the epilepsy experience change as you get older?
Factors which affect epilepsy life expectancy
There are a lot of different factors which could influence epilepsy life expectancy.
- Underlying cause of epilepsy
Research has found there are significant differences in life expectancy for people with epilepsy, depending on the cause of their seizures. For example, if a person’s seizures are related to a brain tumor, this may increase their overall mortality risk.
- Level of seizure control
There is evidence that people whose seizures are not controlled have a higher risk of death than those whose seizures are controlled.
- Time since diagnosis
Generally speaking, the risk of a person with epilepsy dying is highest in the first few years after their diagnosis. The longer a person lives, the higher their life expectancy becomes.
- Level of care
Studies also find that people who receive care at a specialized epilepsy treatment center are more likely to live longer.
- Comorbidities
A comorbidity is a second disease or illness that happens alongside epilepsy. People with certain comorbidities are more likely to live shorter lives. Research suggests that people with learning disorders and epilepsy have a lower life expectancy.
Suggested: 10 considerations for living with epilepsy
Talk to your doctor about your concerns
If you have epilepsy, it is completely understandable to feel concerned or anxious about the future. Your doctor can help you to understand the possible risks and also give you advice on how to manage them.
