title: Methodology of a population-based stroke and TIA incidence and outcomes study: the Auckland Regional Community Stroke Study (ARCOS IV) 2011-2012.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Stroke burden is immense as it leads to premature deaths, leaves survivors with ongoing disabilities, and has a major financial impact on the individual, their families, and the community. Reliable, high-quality evidence is needed on stroke risk factors, incidence, and outcomes to provide information on how best to reduce this burden. Population-based studies are regarded as the 'gold-standard' of measuring disease burden but are not common due to the logistical and financial challenges they present. The Auckland Regional Community Stroke Studies are among a few in the world that have been carried out at a population level and at regular intervals.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the fourth Auckland Regional Community Stroke Studies IV is to examine the current measures of stroke incidence, prevalence, and outcomes as well the trends over four decades. This article describes the methodology of the Auckland Regional Community Stroke Studies IV with stroke and transient ischemic attacks cases registered over a 12-month period from March 1, 2011 to February 29, 2012.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The methodology described may be used as a guide in order to design similar population-based stroke incidence and outcome studies in other countries and populations, thus facilitating the collection of most consistent and accurate stroke epidemiological data.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, National Institute for Stroke and Applied Neurosciences, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Krishnamurthi
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: P Alan
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Barber
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barker-Collo
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McPherson
authors.forename: Derrick
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rush
authors.forename: Flora
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Suh
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Starkey
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Theadom
authors.forename: Varsha
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Parag
authors.forename: Yogini
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Rathnasabapathy
authors.forename: Valery L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Feigin
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D015995:Prevalence; D012107:Research Design; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology*
keywords: TIA; incidence; mortality; outcomes; population-based; stroke