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Improved access to primary care is associated with lower hospital admission rates for epilepsy

Epilepsy is one of the commonest neurological conditions and is associated with major adverse health outcomes and has a significant impact on a person's quality of life. In an article published in the journal Seizure, Michael Soljak and colleagues from Imperial College London examined the association of primary care factors with hospital admissions for epilepsy in England, 2004–2010.

Hospital admission rates for epilepsy in England decreased from 2004–2005 to 2009–2010. Patient access to primary care appointments more than two days ahead, a measure of access to preventive care, and percentage of patients age 18 and over on drug treatment for epilepsy who have been seizure free for the last 12 months, were associated with a lower rate of admissions. However, the impact of these variables on admission rates is small compared to that of deprivation.

The study provides further evidence that improved access to primary care could help reduce admission rates for long-term conditions such a epilepsy.

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