Ischemic stroke in Northeast Brazil: a 13-year temporal analysis of hospital cases

Abstract

Introduction: Ischemic Stroke (IS) is the most common neurological disorder in general population. Their study allows to know their epidemiological dynamics to underpin decision-making in public health. Objectives: To investigate the temporal occurrence of stroke and their hospital mortality rate. Methods: We used an ecological time-series in the Federal Units of the Brazilian Northeast. Data were collected in the Hospital Information System on episodes of IS between the years 1998 and 2010. Results: We observed significant reduction in the incidence of IS in the period, with a reduction of 31.33 casos/105 inhabitants on average in 2002 to 11.4 casos/105 until after this period. The incidence of ischemic stroke increases with age and there is no difference between the sexes. The hospital mortality showed no significant change in the period. Conclusion: The incidence of IS in northeast of Brazil declined from the year 2002, keeping a new paradigm.