Five-year survival-after first-ever stroke.

The aim of the study was to analyze the 5-year survival after first-ever ischemic stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage. In this study 836 patients were analyzed with a first-ever stroke admitted at the Department of Neurology Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina, from January 1(st) 1997 to December 31(st) 1998. Of these 613 (73,3%) were ischemic strokes and 223 intracerebral hemorrhages (26,7%) Subarachnoid hemorrhages were excluded. After hospitalization surviving patients examined periodically, and a final examination was performed 5 years after the stroke. Overall, case-fatility at the first month was 36% (301/836) and the mortality rate was significantly higher in the patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (58,3% vs. 27,9%, p<0,0001). The first year survived 60% patients with ischemic stroke, and 38% with intracerebral hemorrhage. After 5 years, 188 (31%) patients with ischemic stroke and 53 (24%) with intracerebral hemorrhage were alive (p=0,5), and the cumulative survival rate for the entire study was 29%. Among 30-day survivors (n=535) surviving rate after 5 years was significantly higher in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (57% vs. 42,5%, p=0,01). The survival rate was the highest for those 50 years and younger (57%), and the lowest for those aged over 70 years (9%). Predictors of 5-year mortality were older age and hypertension for both types of stroke, heart diseases for ischemic stroke and diabetes for intracerebral hemorrhage. Long-term survival after first-ever ischemic stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage is similar. However, among 30-day survivors the 5-year survival is better in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage.