Title

The Incidence and Characteristics of Stroke in Urban-Dwelling Iranian Women

Authors

Amin Amiri MD, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences
Moira Kapral MD MSc, University of Toronto
Amanda G. Thrift PhD, Monash University, Australia
Luciano A. Sposato, Western UniversityFollow
Hamidreza Saber MD, Wayne State University
Reza Behrouz Do PhD, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Mahdiyeh Erfanian, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences
Mohammad Taghi Farzadfard MD, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences
Naghmeh Mokhber MD, Western University
Reza Azarpazhooh MD, Western UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-2018

Issue

3

Journal

Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases

Volume

27

URL with Digital Object Identifier

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2017.09.050

Abstract

Background: Population-based data regarding stroke among women are scarce in developing countries. This study was designed to determine whether sex differences exist in stroke incidence, mortality, and recurrence.

Methods: The Mashhad Stroke Incidence Study is a population-based cohort study in Iran. For a period of 1 year, all patients with stroke in 3 geographical regions in Mashhad were recruited and then followed up for 5 years. Age- and sex-specific crude incidence rates were standardized to the World Health Organization New World Population. Male-to-female incidence rate ratios were assessed for all age groups and all subtypes of first-ever stroke (FES).

Results: The annual crude incidence rate of FES (per 100,000 population) was similar in men (144; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 129-160) and women (133; 95% CI: 119-149). Standardized FES annual incidence rates were 239 (95% CI: 213-267) for men and 225 (95% CI 200-253) for women, both greater than in most western countries. There were no significant differences in stroke recurrence or case-fatality between women and men during early and long-term follow-up.

Conclusion: The similar incidence of stroke between men and women highlights the importance of equally prioritizing adequate preventive strategies for both sexes. The greater relative incidence of stroke in women in Mashhad compared with other countries warrants improvement of primary and secondary stroke prevention.

Notes

This is a post-peer-review, pre-copyedit version of an article published inJournal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases. The final authenticated version is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2017.09.050.