Epidemiological correlates of stroke mortality : observations from a tertiary institution

Factors associated with stroke were studied by combination of morbidity and mortality analysis for the period 1986 to 1990. Strokes constituted 6.5-7.8 percent of total neurological registration over a five year period at NIMHANS, Bangalore. The morbidity pattern revealed that stroke increases with increasing age and was predominantly constituted by ischaemic strokes (73.1 percent). Stroke in the young constituted 27.8 percent of the cases. Analysis of one year mortality series revealed that 32.5 percent of deaths were in the age group of less than 40 years. Hypertension, Alcoholism and smoking were the major risk factors associated with stroke mortality to the extent of 32 percent, 12 percent and 11 percent of cases respectively. Aneurysms contributed for 10.0 percent of total deaths among the various other conditions associated with stroke. The case fatality rate was in the order of 25.1 percent. The present report emphasizes the need for well designed analytical studies for identifying and qualifying risk factors along with the focus on primary preventive measures through risk approach for preventing morbidity and mortality from stroke in India.