Worldwide incidence and mortality rates for ischemic stroke decreased slightly over the past three decades but overall numbers remain high, especially in high and middle-income countries, according to a new study.
The research was published in the journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
The authors of the study suggested that the decrease could be attributed to better medical services being available in higher income countries which can detect and treat risk factors sooner.
Author Liyuan Han, PhD, of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences in Ningbo, China, said: “But even in these countries, the total number of people with strokes is increasing due to population growth and aging.
“And worldwide stroke is the leading cause of death and a major cause of disability for adults.”
For the study, researchers analysed 1990 to 2019 data from the Global Health Data Exchange.
During that period, the average age-adjusted incidence of ischemic stroke decreased by 0.43 per cent, from a rate of 105 strokes per 100,000 people to 95 strokes per 100,000 people.
The rate was higher in high-middle-income countries than other areas.
East Asia recorded the highest rates regional with 144 per 100,000 compared to Australasia, with 44 strokes per 100,000 people.
At a country level, the United Arab Emirates had the highest level at 208 while Ireland had the lowest at 336 per 100,000 people.
Ischemic stroke mortality decreased slightly by 1.6 per cent over the period, but overall numbers were high.
The overall death rate decreased from 66 deaths per 100,000 people to 44 deaths per 100,000 people.
The highest death rate was Eastern Europe at 100, the lowest, North America at 16.
Han said:
“Since ischemic stroke is highly preventable, it is essential that more resources be devoted to prevention, especially in low- and middle-income countries where economic development is leading to changes in diet and lifestyle that may increase people’s risk factors for stroke.
“It has been estimated that at least half of all strokes may be preventable if effective changes were made to common lifestyle factors such as high blood pressure, obesity, smoking and inactivity.”
A limitation of the study was that quality and accuracy of data from some of the countries could not be guaranteed.
