Stroke Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Stroke, including details on treatment, recovery, rehabilitation, signs, symptoms.

First-ever stroke incidence and 30-day case fatality in the Sicilian Aeolian archipelago, Italy.

Musolino R, La Spina P, Serra S, Postorino P, Calabró S, Savica R, Salemi G, Gallitto G

Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Psichiatriche e Anestesiologiche, Cl. Neurologica I, Policlinico Universitario di Messina, Italy. Rosa.Musolino@unime.it

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Not many data on stroke epidemiology come from studies on islands. This is the first report on a Mediterranean archipelago population. METHODS: Using recommended criteria, from July 1, 1999, to June 30, 2002, information was collected on first-ever stroke and 30-day case fatality in Aeolian island residents (13,431). RESULTS: The overall crude incidence rate was 154 of 100,000 (95% CI, 118 to 197; 128 in men and 180 in women) or 180, 154, and 87, if adjusted to the Italian, European, and world populations, respectively. The 30-day case fatality rate was 24.2% (95% CI, 14.22 to 36.75). CONCLUSIONS: Besides genetic or dietary factors, our results may reflect local, limited possibilities of diagnosis and management for stroke patients.

Published 23 November 2005 in Stroke, 36(12): 2738-41.
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