title: Short-term functional outcome of hospitalised first-ever strokes in Finnmark, Norway in 1998-1999. Results from the Finnmark Stroke Register.
abstract: Data on the functional outcome, prevalence of risk factors and comorbidity of stroke were collected in the population-based Finnmark Stroke Register in northern Norway. Findings for hospitalised first-ever strokes (n = 125) during the first registration year (1998-1999) are presented here. The median age of the patients was 70 years for men and 79 years for women. Cerebral infarctions comprised 81.6% of the strokes. Patients were severely handicapped: at discharge from hospital about 46% of those 75 years or older and about 21% of those younger than 75 years had severe disability by Rankin Scale. Women were more impaired than men. After hospitalisation, 45% of those 75 years or older and 21% of those younger than 75 years were sent to nursing home. The prevalence of risk factors and comorbidity was high: 29% of men (52% of women) had high blood pressure, 22% of men (25% of women) had atrial fibrillation, 22% of both men and women had diabetes, and 50% of men and 33% of women were current smokers. In conclusion, stroke victims in Finnmark were left with severe disability and need intensive rehabilitation. The prevalence of treatable risk factors was high; thus, primary and secondary prevention is the key to reduce the individual and social burden of stroke.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Kirkenes Hospital, Norway. sven.samuelsson@c2i.net
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Samuelsson
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mähönen
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hassaf
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Isaksen
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Berg
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012042:Registries; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors