title: Prevalence of stroke and stroke risk factors in Thailand: Thai Epidemiologic Stroke (TES) Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess stroke prevalence and stroke risk factors in Thailand.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thai Epidemiologic Stroke (TES) Study is an ongoing, community based cohort study that has been conducted in five geographic regions of Thailand. Baseline health status survey was started in 2004 and enrollment continued until the end of 2006. All participants who were suspicious of being stroke victims were verified. In this analysis, baseline data of 19,997 participants aged 45 to 80 years were identified and analyzed as a cross-sectional analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three hundred and seventy six subjects were proved to have a stroke thus resulting the crude prevalence of stroke to be 1.88% (95% CI, 1.69 to 2.07). Age standardization to Segi world standard population was 1.81% (95% CI, 1.62 to 1.99). Crude prevalence among adults aged > or = 65 years was 2.70% (95% CI, 2.28 to 3.11). Stroke prevalence differed among five geographic regions of the country (Bangkok 3.34%, Central region 2.41%, Southern 2.29%, Northern 1.46% and Northeastern 1.09%). Using multiple logistic regression analysis, factors associated with higher stroke prevalence were male gender (p < 0.001), occupational class (p < 0.001), geographic region (p < 0.001), hypertension (p < 0.001), diabetes mellitus (p = 0.002) and hypercholesterolemia (p = 0.026).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Stroke prevalence in Thailand from TES study is higher than previous studies, but it is lower than developed countries, probably due to high case fatality rate in Thai population. Geographic variation in stroke prevalence is found more in Bangkok, Central and Southern regions. Longitudinal follow-up of TES cohort study will provide further information on risk factors and incidence of stroke.
authors: Prasat Neurological Institute, Department of Medical Services, Ministry of Public Health, Bangkok, Thailand. suchathanc@yahoo.com
authors: Suchat
authors: S
authors: Hanchaiphiboolkul
authors: Niphon
authors: N
authors: Poungvarin
authors: Samart
authors: S
authors: Nidhinandana
authors: Nijasri Charnnarong
authors: NC
authors: Suwanwela
authors: Pimchanok
authors: P
authors: Puthkhao
authors: Somchai
authors: S
authors: Towanabut
authors: Tasanee
authors: T
authors: Tantirittisak
authors: Jithanorm
authors: J
authors: Suwantamee
authors: Maiyadhaj
authors: M
authors: Samsen