Current status of stroke in Qatar: Including data from the BRAINS study

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Epidemiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Qatar's population is predominantly South Asian migrants (60%), with Qatari natives comprising less than 15%.
• Stroke burden is projected to increase due to population aging in Qatar.
• Epidemiological studies on stroke in Qatar are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the current epidemiological landscape of stroke in Qatar.
• To identify disparities in stroke incidence, risk factors, and outcomes between native Qataris and migrant populations.
• To inform healthcare management strategies for stroke in Qatar's diverse population.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive review of existing epidemiological literature on stroke in Qatar.
• Inclusion of data from the Bio-Repository of DNA in Stroke database for Qatari patients.
• Analysis of stroke incidence, mortality, risk factors, and patient outcomes.

Main Results:

• Low reported stroke incidence (58/100,000) and mortality (9.17/100,000) in Qatar, potentially linked to a younger migrant population.
• South Asian migrants experienced strokes at a younger age (48.7 years) compared to Qatari natives (63.4 years).
• Key stroke risk factors included hypertension (77.9%), diabetes (43.8%), and hypercholesterolemia (28.5%). Ischemic stroke was prevalent in South Asians (71.1%).
• Qatari natives had higher one-year mortality (6.5% vs 0.3%) and recurrent stroke/transient ischemic attack events (17.4% vs 6.4%) than South Asians.

Conclusions:

• Stroke incidence and mortality rates in Qatar are currently low but increasing.
• Significant disparities exist in stroke characteristics and outcomes between native and migrant populations.
• Differentiated management approaches are required for stroke care in Qatar's healthcare system to address population-specific needs.