Prevalence and Risk Factors of Epilepsy Among the Adult Saudi Population: A Systematic Review

• Published in: Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) CA), 2024-10, Vol.16 (10), p.e72294
• Main Authors: Alenazi, Thamer Alhumodi, Khojah, Ebraheem Lutfullah, Khafaji, Hassan, Alsawad, Rahmah Majed, Alqahtani, Fatimah Mohammed Duleem, Alghamdi, Farah, Alhuwail, Faisal N, H, Alorayyidh Mohammed Mesal, Alharbi, Yousef Salah, Alharbi, Mohammed
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adults; Convulsions & seizures; Epilepsy; Females; Neurology; Population; Public health; Quality of life; Risk factors; Sociodemographics; Systematic review; Womens health
• ISSN: 2168-8184; 2168-8184
• DOI: 10.7759/cureus.72294

This study evaluates the prevalence of epilepsy within the Saudi population. A comprehensive computerized search of pertinent databases was carried out to find research that satisfied the requirements for inclusion. The search encompassed PubMed, SCOPUS, Science Direct, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science to find pertinent research. Our analysis included six studies with a total of 7408 Saudi participants. Females comprised the majority of the participants, totaling 6663 (89.9%). The prevalence of epilepsy among Saudi adults is underreported. Structural causes, such as cerebrovascular events and malignancies, were the most frequent etiologies, followed by genetic factors. A notable proportion of cases had an unknown cause. Gender-specific patterns were observed to show increased seizure severity in males whilst females showed age-specific vulnerability. This review emphasizes the complexity of epileptic conditions within the Saudi population, with diverse causes ranging from structural and genetic factors to strokes and head trauma. While males were more likely to experience severe seizures, females faced age-related vulnerability, pointing to the need for gender-sensitive treatment strategies. The lack of clear causes in nearly half of the cases further emphasizes the need for improved diagnostic approaches. However, the significant gap in prevalence studies within Saudi Arabia limits our understanding of the true burden of epilepsy in the region. Moving forward, comprehensive epidemiological studies focusing on prevalence and risk factors are crucial to inform public health strategies and improve outcomes for individuals living with epilepsy in Saudi Arabia.