BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Population-based studies are crucial for identifying explanations for the decline in mortality from stroke and for generating strategies for public health policy. However, the present particular methodological difficulties, and comparability between them is generally poor. In this article we compare the incidence and case fatality of stroke as assessed by two independent well-designed incidence studies. METHODS: Two registers of acute cerebrovascular events were compiled in the geographically defined metropolitan areas of Auckland, New Zealand (population 945,369), during 1991-1992 for 12 months and Perth, Australia (population 138,708), during 1989-1990 for 18 months. The protocols for each register included prospective ascertainment of cases using multiple overlapping sources and the application of standardized definitions and criteria for stroke and case fatality. RESULTS: In Auckland, 1803 events occurred in 1761 residents, 73% of which were first-ever strokes. The corresponding figures for Perth were 536 events in 492 residents, 69% of which were first-ever strokes. Both studies identified a substantial proportion of nonfatal strokes managed solely outside the hospital system: 28% in Auckland and 22% in Perth of all patients registered. The age-standardized annual incidence of stroke (all events) was 27% higher among men in Perth compared with Auckland (odds ratio, 1.27; P = .016); women tended to have higher rates in Auckland, although these differences were not statistically significant. In both centers approximately a quarter of all patients died within the first month after a stroke. There were significant differences in the prevalence of hypertension among first-ever strokes. CONCLUSIONS: These two studies emphasize the importance of identifying all patients with stroke, both hospitalized and nonhospitalized, in order to measure the incidence of stroke accurately. The incidence and case fatality of stroke were remarkably similar in Auckland and Perth in the early 1990s. However, there are differences in the sex-specific rates that correspond to differences in the pattern of risk factors.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Population-based studies are crucial for identifying explanations for the decline in mortality from stroke and for generating strategies for public health policy. However, the present particular methodological difficulties, and comparability between them is generally poor. In this article we compare the incidence and case fatality of stroke as assessed by two independent well-designed incidence studies. METHODS: Two registers of acute cerebrovascular events were compiled in the geographically defined metropolitan areas of Auckland, New Zealand (population 945,369), during 1991-1992 for 12 months and Perth, Australia (population 138,708), during 1989-1990 for 18 months. The protocols for each register included prospective ascertainment of cases using multiple overlapping sources and the application of standardized definitions and criteria for stroke and case fatality. RESULTS: In Auckland, 1803 events occurred in 1761 residents, 73% of which were first-ever strokes. The corresponding figures for Perth were 536 events in 492 residents, 69% of which were first-ever strokes. Both studies identified a substantial proportion of nonfatal strokes managed solely outside the hospital system: 28% in Auckland and 22% in Perth of all patients registered. The age-standardized annual incidence of stroke (all events) was 27% higher among men in Perth compared with Auckland (odds ratio, 1.27; P = .016); women tended to have higher rates in Auckland, although these differences were not statistically significant. In both centers approximately a quarter of all patients died within the first month after a stroke. There were significant differences in the prevalence of hypertension among first-ever strokes. CONCLUSIONS: These two studies emphasize the importance of identifying all patients with stroke, both hospitalized and nonhospitalized, in order to measure the incidence of stroke accurately. The incidence and case fatality of stroke were remarkably similar in Auckland and Perth in the early 1990s. However, there are differences in the sex-specific rates that correspond to differences in the pattern of risk factors.
Authors: Norrina B Allen; Theodore R Holford; Michael B Bracken; Larry B Goldstein; George Howard; Yun Wang; Judith H Lichtman Journal: Cerebrovasc Dis Date: 2010-09-28 Impact factor: 2.762
Authors: X Du; J Sourbutts; K Cruickshank; A Summers; N Roberts; E Walton; S Holmes Journal: J Epidemiol Community Health Date: 1997-10 Impact factor: 3.710
Authors: K N Vemmos; M L Bots; P K Tsibouris; V P Zis; C E Takis; D E Grobbee; S Stamatelopoulos Journal: J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry Date: 2000-11 Impact factor: 10.154
Authors: Norbert Nighoghossian; Fatima Abbas; Tae-Hee Cho; Ana Filipa Geraldo; Vincent Cottaz; Elie Janecek; Laura Mechtouff; Magali Bischoff; Carlos El Khoury; Anne Marie Schott; Laurent Derex; Marc Hermier; Louis Guy Tisserand; Roxana Amelie; Leila Chamard; Yves Berthezene Journal: Neuroradiology Date: 2016-07-22 Impact factor: 2.804
Authors: Norrina B Allen; Theodore R Holford; Michael B Bracken; Larry B Goldstein; George Howard; Yun Wang; Judith H Lichtman Journal: Neuroepidemiology Date: 2010-01-13 Impact factor: 3.282
Authors: Nishant K Mishra; Niaz Ahmed; Grethe Andersen; José A Egido; Perttu J Lindsberg; Peter A Ringleb; Nils G Wahlgren; Kennedy R Lees Journal: BMJ Date: 2010-11-23