STROKE INCIDENCE AND 30-DAY CASE-FATALITY RATES IN NOVOSIBIRSK, RUSSIA, 1982 THROUGH 1992

Background and Purpose The present study was conducted to investigate the incidence of stroke and 30-day case-fatality rates for stroke in a defined Russian population. Methods This is a population-based study that was established in 1982. All residents of an administratively defined and typical district of Novosibirsk (approximately 150 000 subjects) who had an incident (first-ever) stroke from January 1, 1982, through December 31, 1992, were registered. Results During an Ii-year study period, 3406 incident stroke patients were registered, for an overall crude average annual incidence rate of 202/100 000 population. The rates were higher with increasing age and were significantly higher for men than for women. The age- and sex-adjusted annual incidence rate of stroke declined from 271/100 000 in 1982 to 232/100 000 in 1992. Slowing of the decline in stroke incidence was observed after 1988, and stroke incidence increased slightly in 1992. No significant differences in 30-day stroke case-fatality rates were noted from 1982 through 1992, but a slight trend toward decreasing rates was observed after 1988. There was no major change in patient age at stroke onset. Conclusions Stroke incidence rates in Novosibirsk are among the highest in the world. We observed a decline in stroke incidence but little change in 30-day case-fatality rates in Novosibirsk from 1982 through 1992.