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Stroke in the People's Republic of China
F L Shi1, R G Hart, D G Sherman
1Neurology Department, First Affiliated Hospital, Kunming Medical College, People's Republic of China.
Insights
Stroke is China's leading cause of death, occurring five times more often than heart attacks. Intracerebral hemorrhage is a common stroke type, with regional variations suggesting environmental factors influence stroke incidence.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Vascular Neurology
- Public Health
Background:
- Stroke is the primary cause of mortality in the People's Republic of China.
- Stroke incidence in China is significantly higher (219/100,000) compared to myocardial infarction.
- Intracerebral hemorrhage accounts for approximately one-third of all strokes in China, a rate nearly three times higher than in North America.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the epidemiological characteristics of stroke in China.
- To underscore the significance of intracerebral hemorrhage as a major stroke subtype.
- To identify potential contributing factors to regional variations in stroke incidence.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of recent epidemiologic studies on stroke incidence and mortality in China.
- Comparison of stroke data between different regions within China and with North American registries.
- Review of current stroke treatment modalities, including traditional herbal medicine.
Main Results:
- Stroke incidence in China is more than fivefold that of myocardial infarction.
- A threefold higher stroke incidence is observed in northern Chinese cities compared to southern cities.
- Traditional herbal medicine is frequently used in stroke treatment and may affect blood properties.
Conclusions:
- Stroke, especially intracerebral hemorrhage, represents the most frequent and critical vascular disorder in China.
- Regional variations in stroke incidence suggest a significant role for environmental or dietary influences.
- Integrated treatment approaches combining modern and traditional medicine are employed for stroke management in China.
Abstract:
Recent epidemiologic studies confirm that stroke is the most frequent cause of death in the People's Republic of China, with an incidence (219/100,000 people) more than fivefold that of myocardial infarction. Intracerebral hemorrhage causes about one third of all strokes, nearly three times the frequency in North American stroke registries. A marked regional variation in stroke incidence exists, with a threefold higher stroke incidence in northern than in southern Chinese cities, suggesting important environmental or dietary influences. Stroke treatment often involves a combination of modern and traditional herbal medicine; the latter may modify platelet aggregation and blood viscosity. Stroke, particularly intracerebral hemorrhage, is the most frequent and important vascular disorder in the People's Republic of China.