[Cerebral ischemic disorders in the young subject. Epidemiologic and prognostic data]

A COMMON EVENT: Cerebral vascular events in young subjects account for 5 to 15% of all such cases admitted to specialized services. The incidence of cerebral vascular events in young subjects varies from 3 to 40 per 100,000 depending on the study period (incomplete explorations in early studies), the study site (industrialized or developing country) and the ethnic background of the population. A HETEROGENEOUS GROUP: Although cerebral vascular events are defined as those occurring in subjects aged 18 to 45 years, the population is nevertheless quite heterogeneous due to rising incidence after 35 years and variable frequency of age-dependent and site-dependent underlying causes. RELATIVELY GOOD PROGNOSIS: Early mortality is relatively low (approximately 5%) and two-thirds of the subjects suffer minor or mild sequellae. However, depression, which is frequent, and the impossibility to return to normal work activities have an important impact on quality of life.