title: Ischemic strokes are more severe in Poland than in the United States.
abstract: Case fatality rates for stroke were ascertained prospectively in two regional catchment hospitals in Poland and 36 teaching hospitals in the US University Hospital Consortium. Case fatality rates in Poland (23.9%) were higher than in the United States (7.5%). Angina, atrial fibrillation, and congestive heart failure were more frequent in Polish stroke patients (40%, 26%, and 25%, respectively) than in US patients (17%, 12%, and 10%). Stroke severity as indicated by higher frequencies of hemiplegia, disordered consciousness, dysphagia, and aphasia was greater in Poland (19%, 39%, 28%, and 42%, respectively) than the United States (11%, 13%, 14%, and 26%).
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ryglewicz
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Hier
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wiszniewska
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cichy
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lechowicz
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Czlonkowska
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000368:Aged; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000401:mortality*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000401:mortality; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000401:mortality*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology