Epidemiological trends of idiopathic epilepsy in Central Asia: Insights from the global burden of disease study (1990–2021)

Background: Epilepsy is one of the major neurological disorders affecting millions of people worldwide, with significant variations in incidence and prevalence across different regions. This study focuses on the epidemiological trends of idiopathic epilepsy in Central Asia, a region characterized by a long process of healthcare system transformation and socioeconomic conditions after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Understanding these trends is crucial for developing effective public health strategies tailored to the unique needs of the population. Methods: GBD 2021 data were analyzed for 9 Central Asian countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia), identifying trends in incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years associated with idiopathic epilepsy from 1990–2021. The average annual percentage change (AAPC) was determined to compare regional and global trends. The data were disaggregated by country, year, age, and sex to identify demographic patterns. Results: In 2021, the highest prevalence of idiopathic epilepsy was in Uzbekistan (473 per 100,000; 95 % UI: 140.1–761.1), while Armenia had the lowest (291.3; 95 % UI: 94.8–486.1). Incidence decreased across most countries, with Tajikistan showing a significant decline (AAPC:0.89 %; 95 % CI:0.98 to –0.8). Mortality was highest in Tajikistan (4.6; 95 % UI: 3.4–6.1) and lowest in Armenia (0.9; 95 % UI: 0.7–1.1). DALYs were highest in Tajikistan (422.7; 95 % UI: 284.1–591.7) and lowest in Armenia (118.8; 95 % UI: 57.4–204.9). Most trends were declining, except for Turkmenistan, which showed increases in prevalence and DALYs. The sex-specific estimates are consistently greater in the male population across all the metrics. Conclusions: Central Asia has demonstrated promising downward trends in the burden of epilepsy; however, challenges persist in some countries. This study underscores the urgent need for local data generation, robust registries, and tailored policies to improve care for people with epilepsy in the region.