[Prevalence of stroke in the Salzburg district]

To estimate the frequency of stroke patients in the county of Salzburg (Austria), which has a population of 434,000 inhabitants, 211 doctors (in general practice), and staff of 58 homes for the elderly and 9 hospitals were interviewed. Altogether 1,871 stroke patients were found, which represents a prevalence of 4.3 patients per 1,000 inhabitants; 1.5% had to be considered as patients requiring constant care. 78% of the patients were living at home; 13% were in homes for the elderly and only 9% were found in the hospitals. 35% of the hospital patients were in general medical units, 26% on neurological and 22% on geriatric wards. 13% of the patients were in a rehabilitation centre and 3.5% in the local neurosurgical unit.