Trends in case-fatality of stroke in Finland during 1983 to 1992

Stroke mortality has been declining in Finland during the past 20 years. It is not known, however, whether this favorable development is attributable to the decline in the incidence or case-fatality of stroke. For this reason we examined the trends in case-fatality of stroke, including trends by subtype of stroke.

The analyses were carried out using data of the community-based FINMONICA Stroke Register, which was operating in three geographic areas of Finland during 1983 to 1992. All stroke events (n = 11,171) in persons aged 35 to 74 years were included in this register.

The 28-day case-fatality of stroke fell yearly by 3.6% (P = .01) in men and by 2.6% (P = .2) in women. At the end of the study period, the average 28-day case-fatality of all strokes was 20% in men and 21% in women. Considerable differences by subtype of stroke were observed. The 28-day case-fatalities at the end of the study period were in men-56% for subarachnoid hemorrhage, 42% for intracerebral hemorrhage, and 14% for cerebral infarction. In women, the corresponding figures were 49%, 49%, and 14%. The 28-day case-fatality of subarachnoid hemorrhage did not change during the study period, but for intracerebral hemorrhage, a significant decline was observed in men and there was a declining trend also in women. The 28-day case-fatality of cerebral infarction declined significantly in both genders.

With the exception of subarachnoid hemorrhage, the 28-day case-fatality of stroke has fallen in Finland. It is likely that this fall has contributed to the decline in stroke mortality.