A population-based prospective 24-month study of stroke: incidence and 30-day case-fatality rates of first-ever strokes in Croatia
Pikija, S.; Cvetko, D.; Malojčić, B.; Trkanjec, Z.; Pavliček, I.; Lukić, A.; Kopjar, A.; Hajduk, M.; Andrović, A.; Bilić-Genter, M.; Trkulja, V.
Neuroepidemiology 38(3): 164-171
2012
ISSN/ISBN: 1423-0208 PMID: 22473420 DOI: 10.1159/000336114
Accession: 051214006
In Central/Eastern European countries, cerebrovascular diseases are among the leading causes of mortality. We aimed to determine the incidence of first-ever stroke (FES) in the north-western part of Croatia. A population-based prospective incidence study was conducted between July 1, 2007, and June 30, 2009. Cases were sought from multiple overlapping sources. Incidence rates by stroke type and gender were calculated. A total of 1,487 events were recorded, 1,017 of which were FESs. European age-adjusted incidence rates (per 100,000 population) were: total FESs 223.6 [women/men rate ratio (w/m RR) = 0.65 (95% CI 0.57-0.73)]; ischemic stroke 162.4 (w/m RR = 0.65, 0.56-0.76); intracerebral hemorrhage 28.4 (w/m RR = 0.44, 0.30-0.63); subarachnoid hemorrhage 7.2 (w/m RR = 1.18, 0.55-2.54); unknown etiology 25.5 (w/m RR = 0.78, 0.54-1.14). Adjusted incidence rates of ischemic strokes by subtype were: cardioembolic 52.9 (w/m RR = 0.77, 0.59-0.99); large-artery atherosclerosis 14.4 (w/m RR = 0.22, 0.13-0.38); small-artery occlusion 24.5 (w/m RR = 0.53, 0.37-0.77) and 'other or uncertain causes' 70.6 (w/m RR = 0.77, 0.62-0.97). Thirty-day case-fatality rate was 23.5% overall and 17.1% for ischemic stroke. The incidence of FES and 30-day mortality of patients with ischemic strokes in the studied population is higher than in Western European countries.