[Objective prevention of ictus. Data informatics from a mass screening program]

The main technical and functional abilities of the computer supply to the epidemiologic program Obiettivo Prevenzione Ictus are described. The aim of the program is to investigate the epidemiology of carotid occlusive disease in subjects aged 45 to 75 by following a diagnostic and therapeutic protocol, designed to discover and treat internal carotid artery stenosis. The magnitude of the population involved is 23,140 subjects. The data from the population are collected in a three level archive whose configuration makes it possible to obtain information either from within each level and from all of them. Thus, the software adopted provides specific tools for elaboration of epidemiologic data as well as for clinical management of carriers of carotid lesion and for follow-up of treated patients.