title: Stroke in Bahrain: rising incidence, multiple risk factors, and suboptimal care.
abstract: The incidence of stroke in Bahrain is rising in the Bahraini population and has nearly doubled over the last 16 years, while the incidence in the non-Bahraini population has not changed. Incidence of stroke in the Bahraini population (110/100,000) is now much greater than in the non-Bahraini population (27/100,000). The Bahraini stroke population is 10 years younger than Western comparators with a much higher prevalence of many of the risk factors for stroke, including diabetes (54%), hypertension (75%) and hyperlipidemia (34%). The combination of an ageing Bahraini population alongside a high prevalence of risk factors suggests a 'ticking time bomb' that is likely to see a continuing rise in the incidence of stroke. The quality of risk factor prevention and hospital-based stroke care is therefore crucial in Bahrain. While 88% of patients were scanned within 24 h and 86% with non-haemorrhagic strokes were commenced on aspirin within 48 h, none of the patients received thrombolysis or were admitted to a stroke unit. Improvement of stroke outcomes in Bahrain could be achieved through implementation of evidence-based measures, including improved risk factor management in primary care and stroke units and thrombolysis in secondary care.
authors.affiliation: School of Postgraduate Studies & Research, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - Medical University of Bahrain, Adliya, Bahrain.
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Al Banna
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - Medical University of Bahrain, Adliya, Bahrain.
authors.forename: Hassan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Baldawi
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - Medical University of Bahrain, Adliya, Bahrain.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kadhim
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - Medical University of Bahrain, Adliya, Bahrain.|Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Manama, Bahrain.
authors.forename: Hani
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Humaidan
authors.affiliation: School of Postgraduate Studies & Research, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - Medical University of Bahrain, Adliya, Bahrain.
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Whitford
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001445:Bahrain / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy
keywords: Bahrain; audit; epidemiology; incidence; quality of care; stroke