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Published on: February 2, 2017
Epidemiology
Insights
Intracranial atherosclerotic occlusive disease is a leading cause of stroke globally, disproportionately affecting Asian populations. This review examines its epidemiology in Asia and explores reasons for racial and ethnic differences in disease distribution.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Epidemiology
- Vascular Medicine
Background:
- Intracranial atherosclerotic occlusive disease is a significant global cause of stroke.
- Certain populations, including Asian, Black, and Hispanic individuals, exhibit a higher risk.
- Understanding the epidemiology is crucial for stroke prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the epidemiology of intracranial occlusive disease, focusing on Asian populations.
- To compare epidemiological data between Asian countries and North America.
- To explore potential origins of race-ethnic variations in atherosclerotic disease.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of epidemiological studies on intracranial occlusive disease.
- Focus on data from China, Japan, Korea, and other Asian nations.
- Comparative analysis of data from Asian and North American regions.
Main Results:
- Intracranial atherosclerotic occlusive disease is a major cause of stroke, particularly in Asian populations.
- Epidemiological data highlight significant prevalence in East Asian countries.
- Comparisons reveal distinct patterns of intracranial and extracranial disease distribution across different ethnic groups.
Conclusions:
- Intracranial atherosclerotic occlusive disease epidemiology varies significantly by geographic region and ethnicity.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the genetic and environmental factors contributing to these disparities.
- Targeted prevention efforts may be necessary for high-risk populations.
Abstract:
Intracranial atherosclerotic occlusive disease is an important and possibly the most common cause of stroke worldwide. Asian, Black and certain Hispanic populations have a high risk of harboring intracranial occlusive disease. In this chapter we review the epidemiology of intracranial occlusive disease by primarily focusing on studies from China, Japan, Korea, and other Asian countries. In addition, we compare and contrast the information from Asian countries with that from North America and related regions. Finally, we explore hypotheses concerning the origin of race-ethnic differences in the distribution of extracranial and intracranial atherosclerotic disease.
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