NEW figures showing Northern Ireland has the highest epilepsy prevalence rate in the UK are "highly concerning", a charity has warned.
The research reveals that one in 83 people has epilepsy in the north - the highest prevalence rate in the UK and considerably more than the national average of one in 107.
The figures on new cases per year also paints a similar picture.
In Northern Ireland, the study showed a rate of over 45 new cases every 100,000 people each year, once again higher than the UK average of 43 in every 100,000 a year.
The data comes from a new UK study which analysed electronic health records of around 14 million people to estimate the prevalence (number of people with the condition) and incidence (number of new cases) of epilepsy in the country.
The research showed that while the prevalence of epilepsy has reduced slightly from 2011 in the UK, there are significant disparities between rates in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales compared to England and the UK overall.
The charity, Epilepsy Action, has expressed particular concern with the numbers in Northern Ireland, especially amid no functioning government, which has meant that no major policy decisions can be made, at a time when people with epilepsy are being told they face a wait of up to 5 years to see a neurologist.
Neurology services in the north have also been impacted by the ongoing review into the patients of former Belfast neurologist Dr Watt, which led to one the UK’s largest ever patient recalls.
Carla Smyth from Epilepsy Action said the "new figures around the prevalence of epilepsy in Northern Ireland are hugely concerning and highlight a significant difference between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK".
"This situation is further exacerbated by the fact that waiting times for neurology appointments in Northern Ireland are the highest in the UK," she said.
"We have heard from some people who have been told they face a wait of over four years for an appointment
"Without political leadership or input the situation will only get worse for people with epilepsy.
"We urgently need all political parties in Northern Ireland to get back round the table, break the current stalemate, restore power-sharing and work together to address the vast problems facing people with neurological conditions like epilepsy."
