title: A consecutive and prospective stroke database covers the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg with 10.8 million inhabitants in Germany.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In 1998 Baden-Wuerttemberg (BW), a federal state in southwest Germany with 10.8 million inhabitants, implemented a structured medical concept for the treatment of acute stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  Since 2004 participation in the BW stroke database is mandatory for all hospitals in BW involved in acute stroke care. The stroke database includes all inpatients ≥18 years of age who have suffered an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke within 7 days before hospitalization. This article presents methodological aspects and first results of the BW stroke database in the time period from 2007 to 2011.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Annual inclusion numbers increased continuously (29,422 vs. 35,724, p < 0.001). Median age of stroke onset was stable over time. The proportion of stroke patients ≥80 years increased from 36.9 to 38.8% (p < 0.001). Rates of patients treated in neurology departments rose from 50.7 to 60.9% (p < 0.001) and numbers of patients treated in stroke units rose from 59.1 to 68.4% (p < 0.001). Admission via emergency medical systems increased from 42.8 to 49.7% (p < 0.001) and arrival within 3 h increased from 29.8 to 34.4% (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We present results from a large, prospective and consecutive stroke patient database. This first analysis demonstrates a continuous increase of absolute and relative numbers of stroke patients who arrive within 3 h after onset, are hospitalized in neurology departments and treated in stroke units, and are aged ≥80 years.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gumbinger
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Reuter
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wiethölter
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bruder
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rode
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Drewitz
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Habscheid
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Daffertshofer
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Diehm
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Neumaier
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kern
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Ringleb
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hacke
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Hennerici
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010351:Patient Discharge; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*