Putaminal and thalamic hemorrhage in ethnic chinese living in Hong Kong.
BACKGROUND
Hemorrhagic stroke is very common in the Chinese population, and it is one of the leading causes of mortality in Chinese communities. The risk factors to explain this high incidence are unknown. It is the purpose of this study to look into the features of hemorrhagic stroke in the Hong Kong Chinese.


METHODS
We conducted a prospective hospital-based study in which 60 consecutive Chinese patients with computed tomography diagnosis of putaminal or thalamic hemorrhage were included. Their demographic and clinical data were collected and analyzed.


RESULTS
Two major findings evolved from the present study. (1) Unlike the Western studies, the majority of our patients were about a decade younger; (2) 50% of the patients had previously diagnosed hypertension, but only 20% of these patients were compliant with their antihypertensive medication. Our results also suggested that low admission Glasgow Coma Scale scores, large hematoma size, and the presence of intraventricular blood were associated with poor outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
This study concludes that hemorrhagic stroke is indeed a serious health problem in Hong Kong. Simple measures, such as improvement of health education and the primary care system in the management of hypertension, would help to reduce the incidence of hemorrhagic stroke.
Hsiang
J N
JN
Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Zhu
X L
XL
Wong
L K
LK
Kay
R
R
Poon
W S
WS
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011699:Putamen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D015996:Survival Rate; D013786:Thalamic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000208:ethnology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed