Neurological disorders and services in Saskatchewan--a report based on provincial health care records.

A study of neurological disorders and services is presented. The ten most common neurological diagnoses were headache, back disorders, neuropathy, cerebrovascular disease, dizziness/insomnia, myopathies, soft tissue disorder, intracranial injury, neurological symptoms (numbness, etc.), and Parkinson's disease. The pattern of diseases is similar to that reflected in the prevalence of those in the US. The annual beneficiary rate was 1.6% of the population, the median age was 45 years, and the majority (52%) served were females. There were 1.8 annual services per beneficiary and the median hospital stay was 9 days. Ambulatory care accounted for the majority (62%) of services and 64% of the inpatient services were delivered by neurosurgeons. The majority of the admissions (61%) and of the ambulatory services (55%) were provided in Regina.