Impact of social factors on the outcome of status epilepticus

•Clear differences in status epilepticus (SE) incidence and mortality by ethnicity (at least in the US).•The highest incidence and lowest mortality rates are in black populations (the US).•Association of low educational attainment and increased in epilepsy but not specifically SE.•Clear association between social deprivation (SD) and epilepsy/SE.•Weak evidence that SD/lower economic status may be associated with higher SE mortality but may be explained by other factors. In this review we look at the evidence of the impact of social factors, both inherent and external on the prognosis of status epilepticus (SE). Specifically, we look at the impact of gender, ethnicity, educational level and social deprivation on the incidence and prognosis of SE. We found evidence of clear differences in SE incidence and mortality by ethnicity (at least in the United States) with the highest incidence and lowest mortality rates in black populations. One study was identified which demonstrated a clear association of low educational attainment and increased mortality in epilepsy but not specifically SE. Similarly, there was evidence of a clear association (in adults) between social deprivation and epilepsy but again not specifically SE. Finally, there was weak evidence that social deprivation/lower economic status may be associated with higher SE mortality but this may be explained by other factors. This paper was presented at the 9th London-Innsbruck Colloquium on Status Epilepticus and Acute Seizures held in April 2024.