Burden of Ischemic Stroke in Korea: Analysis of Disability-Adjusted Life Years Lost

Background and Purpose

Disability-adjusted life years (DALY), incorporating both disability and mortality, has been widely employed to measure regional and global burdens of stroke. Thus far, the DALY lost to stroke in a population has been estimated using only the crude population-level data; no previous study has incorporated refined data from stroke registries. The aim of this study was to integrate the stroke registry data and the population-level incidence data to project the nationwide DALY lost to ischemic stroke.

Methods

From the data of two large ischemic stroke registries, we derived an average DALY lost due to ischemic stroke for each of the following age groups: <45, 45-54, 55-64, 65-74, 75-84, and ≥85 years. The nationwide ischemic stroke incidence for each age group was extracted from a cardiovascular and cerebrovascular surveillance study that analyzed the 2004 Korean Health Insurance database.

Results

The average DALY lost due to ischemic stroke for the age groups <45, 45-54, 55-64, 65-74, 75-84, and ≥85 years was 5.07, 4.63, 4.35, 3.88, 2.88, and 1.73, respectively. By multiplying the incidence and the average DALY lost, the nationwide DALY lost was determined to be 9,952 for those <45 years, 24,608 for 45-54 years, 50,682 for 55-64 years, 88,875 for 65-74 years, 52,089 for 75-84 years, and 8,192 for ≥85 years, respectively. The projected nationwide DALY lost due to 64,688 ischemic strokes in 2004 was 234,399 (121,482 for men and 113,244 for women), and the DALY lost per 100,000 person-years was 483 (500 for men and 469 for women).

Conclusions

Incidence data from a population study and DALY values derived from stroke registries can be integrated to provide a more refined projection of the nationwide burden of ischemic stroke. In Korea, more than 230,000 years of healthy life are being lost annually due to ischemic stroke, and hence prompt action is imperative.     

Evidence for age-dependent education-related differences in men and women with first-ever stroke. Results from a community-based incidence study in northern Sweden

Several studies have shown a relationship between low socioeconomic status, age and stroke mortality. However, there is lack of similar studies in relation to stroke incidence. All cases of first-ever stroke occurring in a population aged 35-85 years from the city of Ume? were collected from hospital-based registers during a 2-year study period (2000-2002), from death certificates and also from nursing homes during a 6-month period. The WHO definition of stroke was used. Register data served to analyze educational level. A total of 457 first-ever strokes (244 women and 213 men) were registered, corresponding to an overall annual incidence rate of first-ever stroke of 413.4 per 100,000. The incidence of first-ever stroke was significantly higher among low-educated compared to high-educated men and women. The highest stroke incidence was found among low-educated women aged 75-85 years. The educational-related differences in stroke incidence persisted in the oldest age group (75-85 years), also after controlling for sex and age. This is one of the first studies that analyzes first-ever stroke incidence also among elderly men and women (75-85 years) in relation to socioeconomic status. More community-based studies are needed in order to confirm the results.     

覆膜支架血管内治疗颅内动脉瘤:附九例报告

目的探讨覆膜支架治疗颅内动脉瘤的适应证和临床疗效。方法经脑血管造影检查明确诊断的9例颅内动脉瘤患者(4例颈内动脉海绵窦段宽颈动脉瘤未破裂、5例椎动脉颅内段梭形或夹层动脉瘤破裂致蛛网膜下隙出血),动脉瘤直径4～16mm,均接受Jostent覆膜支架治疗。结果共计植入9枚Jostent覆膜支架,均获技术成功,支架顺利到达病变部位且释放后动脉瘤颈即刻覆盖完全,动脉瘤不显影,载瘤动脉血流通畅,达到即刻影像学满意效果。随访9～24个月,5例患者(2例颈内动脉、3例椎动脉)脑血管造影检查颈内动脉支架段血流通畅、无狭窄(2例),椎动脉支架段血管呈无症状性闭塞(2例)或支架内轻度狭窄(1例),动脉瘤均未显影;其余4例未行脑血管造影患者门诊随访。9例患者手术后均恢复正常生活与工作,无一例死亡或永久性病残。结论覆膜支架治疗颈内动脉海绵窦段宽颈大动脉瘤、椎动脉颅内段梭形或夹层动脉瘤疗效较好,值得在有手术适应证的患者中推荐使用。     

Incidence and outcome of cerebrovascular disease in Perth, Western Australia

We estimated the event rates for stroke and transient cerebral ischemic attacks in a prospective community-based epidemiologic study in a representative segment of the city of Perth, Western Australia, during a 10-month period in 1986. Of 349 persons with an initial diagnosis of stroke or transient ischemic attack, 154 had suffered a first stroke, 75 a recurrent stroke, and 47 a transient ischemic attack; the remaining 73 persons were thought not to have had an episode of acute cerebrovascular disease. Annual event rates for first stroke (age-standardized to the "world" population) were 120 per 100,000 for males and 56 per 100,000 for females. The crude case-fatality ratio at 28 days after the index event for first stroke was 23% and varied from 0% for lacunar infarction to 57% for subarachnoid hemorrhage.     

Epidemiology of cerebrovascular disease in Tartu, Estonia, USSR, 1970 through 1973.

This study was undertaken to establish the incidence and mortality for various types of cerebrovascular disease in the population of Tartu. All medical records for this population were reviewed for the period 1970 through 1973, and those with a diagnosis of brain infarction, transient ischemic attacks, cerebral hemorrhage or subarachnoid hemorrhage were identified. Only the first stroke was considered when determining incidence. A total of 786 cases were included in the study. Without cases of transient ischemic attacks, the number was 667 (e.g., cases of stroke). Cerebral infarction accounted for 80% of all strokes, cerebral hemorrhage for 13.5% and subarachnoid hemorrhage for 6.5%. The incidence rate for stroke was higher for men than for women and significantly increased in each older age group. The rate for all persons was 184 per 100,000 population per year. The incidence of transient ischemic attacks was 33 per 100,000 population per year. The mortality rate for stroke for this population was 98/100,000 per year. The data on incidence of stroke and its type, its dependence on age and sex, and mortality rate are close to the corresponding data reported from other countries.     

Ictus cardioembólico: epidemiología

Approximately one in four ischemic strokes is of cardioembolic origin. Non-valvular atrial fibrillation accounts for 50% of these cases, followed by myocardial infarction, intraventricular thrombus, valvular heart disease and a miscellany of causes. The incidence of embolic heart disease in the population could be about 30 cases per 100,000 inhabitants per year, and its prevalence between 5 and 10 cases per 1,000 persons aged 65 years or older. Hospital mortality is high, and 5-year survival is only one out of every five patients. The recurrence rate of this type of stroke is about 12% at 3 months, higher than that of non-cardioembolic stroke. The severity of cardioembolic strokes and the resulting disability are greater than with non-cardioembolic stroke. Age, a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack, hypertension, diabetes and heart failure play a role in stroke with atrial fibrillation as additional risk factors for future embolisms. Stroke rates can reach over 20% per year and therefore the prevention and treatment of these events are of paramount importance.     

Amaurosis fugax in a Danish community: a prospective study

A prospective study of amaurosis fugax was carried out in a Danish community (population 481,000); case ascertainment was based on the collaboration of practicing ophthalmologists and general practitioners. Over a 3-year period we registered 131 cases; the annual incidence of "first amaurosis fugax episodes coming to medical attention" was 8.6 and 6.2 per 100,000 population for men and women, respectively. On the basis of a comparison of the age-incidence curves for cerebral and retinal ischemic attacks, the "true" incidence of amaurosis fugax is estimated to be approximately 14/100,000/yr, or 25-30% of the reported incidence of transient ischemic attacks. Clinical and/or radiologic signs of a carotid lesion on the appropriate side were present in 56% of the patients, and an additional 27% had symptoms or signs of other organic cardiovascular disorders. Forty-three (68%) of the 63 patients who underwent arteriography had an atheromatous lesion apparently amenable to carotid endarterectomy. In spite of the case-finding procedures employed in the study, cases of amaurosis fugax suitable for carotid surgery were thus ascertained at a rate of only 3/100,000/yr. This suggests that surgical treatment of patients with retinal ischemic attacks is of minor importance as a preventive measure against stroke in the community.     

Transition in Incidence Rate of Hospitalised Stroke and Case Fatality Rate in the Hunter Region,Australia, 2001-2019: A Prospective Hospital-Based Study

Introduction: Continuous surveillance of stroke admissions has been conducted in the Hunter region, Australia, over the past two decades. We aimed to describe the trends in incidence rates of hospitalised stroke and case-fatality rates in this region, 2001-2019. Methods: From a hospital-based stroke registry, data for admitted adult stroke patients residing in the Hunter region were collected using ICD-10 codes for ischemic and haemorrhagic stroke. Negative binomial regression and logistic regression analysis were used to analyse trends for age-standardised and age-specific incidence rates of hospitalised stroke and 28-day case-fatality rates. Results: A total of 14,662 hospitalisations for stroke in 13,242 individuals were registered. The age-standardised incidence rate declined from 123 per 100,000 population in the 2001-2005 epoch to 96 in the 2016-2019 epoch (mean annual change -2.0%, incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 0.980 [95%CI: 0.976-0.984]). Age-specific analyses identified significant reduction in the group aged 75-84 (1039 per 100,000 population in 2001-2005 to 633 in 2016-2019, annual change -3.5%, IRR= 0.965 [95%CI: 0.960-0.970]). The 28-day case-fatality rates fluctuated over time (18.5% in 2001-2005, 20.8% in 2010-2015, and 17.8% in 2016-2019).  Projected population aging suggests annual volume of patients with new stroke will increase by 77% by 2041 if incidence rates remain unchanged at the 2016-2019 level. Conclusion: Although age-standardised hospitalised stroke incidence rates have declined in the Hunter region, the health system will face an increase in stroke hospitalisations related to the aging population.     

12例脑动脉狭窄支架置入术的临床观察

目的观察脑动脉狭窄血管内支架成型术的安全性、近期临床疗效及治疗经验。方法包括颈内动脉起始部狭窄9处,椎动脉开口部狭窄5处,基底动脉狭窄3处的12例患者共17处行自膨式及球囊膨胀式支架置入术,共使用保护伞10例,围手术期给予抗血小板聚集。结果12例病人共置入支架17枚,成功率100%。1例术中发生低血压性休克,治疗后好转;6~17个月随访9例无症状复发,DSA复查9例,其中1例内膜增生,1例再狭窄。结论血管内支架置入术治疗脑血管狭窄安全有效,近期疗效明显,但仍需长期随访观察远期疗效。     

覆膜支架血管内治疗颅内动脉瘤：附九例报告

目的探讨覆膜支架治疗颅内动脉瘤的适应证和临床疗效。方法经脑血管造影检查明确诊断的9例颅内动脉瘤患者（4例颈内动脉海绵窦段宽颈动脉瘤未破裂、5例椎动脉颅内段梭形或夹层动脉瘤破裂致蛛网膜下隙出血）,动脉瘤直径4～16mm,均接受Jostent覆膜支架治疗。结果共计植入9枚Jostent覆膜支架,均获技术成功,支架顺利到达病变部位且释放后动脉瘤颈即刻覆盖完全,动脉瘤不思影,载瘤动脉血流通畅,达到即刻影像学满意效果。随访9～24个月,5例患者（2例颈内动脉、3例椎动脉）脑血管造影检查颈内动脉支架段血流通畅、无狭窄（2例）,椎动脉支架段血管呈无症状性闭塞（2例）或支架内轻度狭窄（1例）,动脉瘤均未显影;其余4例未行脑血管造影患者门诊随访。9例患者手术后均恢复正常生活与工作,无一例死亡或永久性病残。结论覆膜支架治疗颈内动脉海绵窦段宽颈大动脉瘤、椎动脉颅内段梭形或夹层动脉瘤疗效较好,值得在有手术适应证韵患者中推荐使用。     

症状性颈动脉狭窄伴有同侧中动脉狭窄的介入治疗效果研究

目的   比较单纯颈动脉支架置入术治疗和联合颈动脉、大脑中动脉支架置入术治疗症状性颈动脉狭窄伴有中动脉狭窄的缺血性卒中或短暂性脑缺血发作（transient ischemic attack,TIA）患者短期终点事件发生率。 方法  回顾2010年1月～2013年12月采用血管内支架治疗症状性颈动脉狭窄伴有同侧大脑中动脉狭窄的缺血性卒中或TIA患者的临床资料。根据治疗情况将患者分为单纯颈动脉支架置入术治疗组和联合颈动脉、大脑中动脉支架置入术治疗组。比较两组术后90?d终点事件（包括同侧缺血性卒中复发、症状性脑出血及死亡风险）的发生率。 结果  共有21例患者纳入本研究,男性15例,女性6例,平均年龄（58.5±3.6）岁,其中16例患者进行了颈动脉支架治疗,5例患者进行了颈动脉联合中动脉支架治疗。颈动脉支架治疗组90?d终点事件发生3例（18.75%）,颈动脉联合中动脉支架治疗组发生1例终点事件（20%）,两组间差异无显著性（P=0.952）。两组发生的终点事件均为缺血性卒中复发,无症状性脑出血及死亡患者。 结论  对于伴有颈动脉及大脑中动脉狭窄的缺血性卒中或TIA患者,与单纯颈动脉支架治疗相比同时进行颈动脉及大脑中动脉支架治疗手术未减少术后90?d同侧缺血性卒中复发风险。     

Epidemiology and cerebrovascular events related to cervical and intracranial arteries dissection: the experience of the city of Pisa

Spontaneous dissection of cervical arteries (sCAD) is a major cause of ischemic stroke in young patients, with an incidence varying from 1.7 to 3/100,000/year for extracranial internal carotid artery (ICAD) and 1 to 1.9/100,000/year for extracranial vertebral artery (VAD). Reliable epidemiological data on stroke incidence related to sCAD are scarce in Italy. This study aims to evaluate the incidence, clinical features, and outcome of cerebrovascular events related to sCAD and spontaneous intracranial arteries dissections (sIAD) in the city of Pisa (Italy). We retrospectively analyzed consecutive patients admitted between December 1997 and June 2015 with a diagnosis of stroke, TIA, or Bernard-Horner syndrome due to acute cervical or intracranial artery dissection. Considering that our hospital collects presumptively all patients hospitalized with sCAD coming from the referral geographical area, data may provide a good approximation to real incidence of sCAD in our population. Clinical and radiological features, acute treatment and outcome were collected. Seventy-seven cases were included (mean age 48.1±10.4 years, range 23–77,72.7% males), 66 residents in the district of Pisa. Crude incidence rate of cerebrovascular events due to intra or extracranial dissection was 1.88/100,000/year. The incidence of ICAD was 0.80/100,000/year and 0.43/100,000/year for VAD. Stroke occurred in 76.6% of patients. VAD was more prone to cause ischemic stroke and present with cervical pain or focal signs (p < 0.01) than ICAD group, which had older age at onset. sIAD were more frequent in the posterior circle (p = 0.01) and more associated with ischemic lesions. A good outcome (mRS 0–2) was observed in 79% of patients. This is the first epidemiological attempt to investigate impact of sCAD and sIAD in Italy.     

Stroke in rural Ecuador: a three-phase, door-to-door survey

The authors carried out a three-phase door-to-door survey in Atahualpa, Ecuador to assess epidemiologic and pathogenetic mechanisms of stroke. They found 10 stroke patients among 1,568 individuals aged > or =15 years (crude prevalence, 638 per 100,000). There was only one incident case (incidence, 64 per 100,000). Six of the 10 patients had hypertensive arteriolopathy (five with ischemic and one with hemorrhagic stroke). Additional work is needed to increase knowledge on stroke in developing countries.     

Extracranial carotid and vertebral artery dissection: a review

Dissection of the extracranial carotid and vertebral arteries is increasingly recognized as a cause of transient ischemic attacks and stroke. The annual incidence of spontaneous carotid artery dissection is 2.5 to 3 per 100,000, while the annual incidence of spontaneous vertebral artery dissection is 1 to 1.5 per 100,000. Traumatic dissection occurs in approximately 1% of all patients with blunt injury mechanisms, and is frequently initially unrecognized. Overall, dissections are estimated to account for only 2% of all ischemic strokes, but they are an important factor in the young, and account for approximately 20% of strokes in patients less than 45 years of age. Arterial dissection can cause ischemic stroke either by thromboemboli forming at the site of injury or as a result of hemodynamic insufficiency due to severe stenosis or occlusion. Available evidence strongly favors embolism as the most common cause. Both anticoagulation and antiplatelet agents have been advocated as treatment methods, but there is limited evidence on which to base these recommendations. A Cochrane review on the topic of antithrombotic drugs for carotid dissection did not identify any randomized trials, and did not find that anticoagulants were superior to antiplatelet agents for the primary outcomes of death and disability. Healing of arterial dissections occurs within three to six months, with resolution of stenosis seen in 90%, and recanalization of occlusions in as many as 50%. Dissecting aneurysms resolve on follow-up imaging in 5-40%,decrease in size in 15-30%, and remain unchanged in 50-65%. Resolution is more common in vertebral dissections than in carotid dissections. Aneurysm enlargement occurs rarely. The uncommon patient presenting with acute hemodynamic insufficiency should be managed with measures to increase cerebral blood flow, and in this setting emergency stent placement to restore cerebral perfusion may be considered, provided that irreversible infarction has not already occurred.     

A reappraisal of the common carotid artery as an access site in interventional procedures for acute stroke therapies

The cervical approach was the first to be used by neuroangiography pioneers, but due to limited access, drawbacks, and significant complications it was surpassed long ago in favor of the femoral approach. However, common carotid access can be a valuable alternative to femoral access in selected neuroendovascular cases, particularly in emergency procedures involving one of the carotid arteries when the femoral approach is impossible or contraindicated. We describe the successful use of carotid artery access for the treatment of acute stroke in a patient in whom common carotid artery and internal carotid artery tortuosity prevented the delivery of endovascular therapy to the middle cerebral artery via femoral artery access. Endovascular neurosurgeons should be familiar with percutaneous carotid artery access to provide comprehensive endovascular care to the growing subset of patients with complex vascular anatomy.     

Incidence and etiology of ischemic stroke in Persian young adults

BACKGROUND: Stroke in young adults causes morbidity in this socioeconomically active age group. The etiologic frequency of ischemic stroke in young adults differs around the world. METHODS: The study population consisted of 314,000 'young adult' residents in Southern Khorasan province in Iran. All patients with stroke are routinely admitted to the Valie Asr tertiary care hospital. Data on patients demographics, clinical presentation and investigations of consecutive patients aged 15-45 years with ischemic stroke are registered in Southern Khorasan stroke data bank for the period March 2000 to March 2005. All patients underwent a standard battery of diagnostic investigations by a stroke neurologist. The etiologic classification of stroke in the patients was made based on the trial of ORG 10172 in acute stroke treatment (TOAST) criteria. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-four patients (60 female, 64 male) were prospectively investigated during a 5-year period. The incidence of ischemic stroke in young adults was eight cases per 100,000 people per year. Cardioembolic mechanism comprised 54% of stroke etiology in young adults. Rheumatic valvular disease was present in 32% of the patients and caused 2.5 preventable stroke cases per 100,000 'young adults' per year. CONCLUSION: Rheumatic valvular disease is the most common cause and a preventable etiology of stroke in Persian young adults.     

Cerebrovascular disease in infants and children: a study of incidence, clinical features, and survival

A 10-year review of the Mayo Clinic experience with childhood cerebrovascular disease unrelated to birth, intracranial infection, or trauma identified 69 patients (38 with ischemic stroke, and 31 with subarachnoid or intracerebral hemorrhage). Although children with cerebral infarction had better survival, they experienced more residual disability than children with cerebral hemorrhage. The medical records-linkage system for Rochester, Minnesota residents made it possible for the first time to study cerebrovascular disease in a well-defined childhood population. Records from all medical facilities serving this population (average of 15,834 resident children) showed four strokes over 10 years (average annual incidence rate of 2.52 cases per 100,000 per year).     

Endovascular treatment strategies for acute ischemic stroke

The limitations of intravenous thrombolysis therapy have paved the way for the development of novel endovascular technologies for use in the setting of acute stroke. These technologies range from direct intraarterial thrombolysis to various thrombus disruption or retrieval devices to angioplasty and stenting. The tools in the armamentarium of the neuroendovascular interventionalist enable fast, effective revascularization to be offered to a wider population of patients that may otherwise have few therapeutic options available to them. In this paper, we review the current state-of-the-art in neuroendovascular intervention for acute ischemic stroke. Particular emphasis is placed on delineating the indications and outcomes for use of these various technologies.     

Epidemiological study of primary intracranial tumours in elderly people

The incidence of primary intracranial tumours in a well definedpopulation of persons older than 70 years (elderly) who resided inKumamoto prefecture was examined. During the period from 1989to 1995, primary intracranial tumours were diagnosed in 271 elderly people; ofthese, 155 (57.2%) tumours were confirmed microscopically. In a meanpopulation of 216 000 people over the age of 70 years, this yields anaverage annual incidence rate of 18.1 cases/100 000 population/year.The incidence was lower in men (15.2/100 000 population) than women(20.3/100 000 population). The age specific incidence/100 000/yearwas 23.2 for the 70-74 year age group, 18.1 for the 75-79 year agegroup, 15.1 for the 80-84 year age group, and 7.6 for persons olderthan 85 years. The most common tumours were meningiomas (50.6%),followed by malignant gliomas (13.3%), pituitary adenomas (12.9%),schwannomas (6.6%), malignant lymphomas (3.7%), and benignastrocytomas (3.7%).

     

Annual incidence of first silent stroke in the United States: a preliminary estimate

BACKGROUND: Recent estimates of stroke incidence in the US range from 760,000 to 780,000 annually, however these estimates do not reflect the incidence of silent infarcts and hemorrhages. Since population-based studies indicate the prevalence of silent stroke is substantially higher than that of symptomatic stroke, estimates of stroke incidence based solely on symptomatic events may substantially underestimate the annual stroke burden. METHODS: The prevalence of silent infarcts for different age strata were abstracted from two US population-based MRI studies, the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study and the Cardiovascular Health Study. Similarly, first silent cerebral hemorrhage incidence rates were derived from population-based MRI prevalence observations in the Austrian Stroke Prevention Study. Prevalence observations in these studies and death rates from the US Census were inputted to calculate age-specific first silent MRI infarct and hemorrhage incidence. Age- specific incidence rates were projected onto 1998 US population age cohorts to calculate the annual burden of first silent MRI ischemic stroke and first silent MRI cerebral hemorrhage. RESULTS: Estimated age-specific annual incidence rates (per 100,000) of persons experiencing first silent MRI infarct ranged from 1,600 in the age 30-39 stratum to 16,400 at ages 75-79. Estimated incidence rates of first silent MRI cerebral hemorrhage ranged from 180 in the ages 30-39 to 6,900 at age >85. Overall, the projected annual incidence in 1998 of US individuals experiencing first silent MRI infarct was 9,040,000, and first silent MRI hemorrhage 1,940,000. CONCLUSIONS: In 1998, more than 11 million persons experienced stroke in the US, in whom approximately 770,000 were symptomatic and 11 million were first-ever silent MRI infarcts or hemorrhages. These findings demonstrate the incidence of stroke is substantially higher than suggested by estimates based solely on clinically manifest events.