INCIDENCE OF STROKE AMONG INPATIENTS IN A LARGE ITALIAN HOSPITAL

Background and Purpose The incidence of stroke among inpatients is not known. The aim of our study was to investigate the incidence of stroke not preceded by evident iatrogenic factors such as surgical or medical procedures in a cohort of inpatients in a large Italian general hospital. Methods From January 1, 1992, to December 31, 1992, we evaluated patients referred to our neurology department with a suspected diagnosis of stroke that occurred during hospitalization. Patients presenting with stroke as a complication of iatrogenic causes were excluded. We calculated the incidence rate of first-ever stroke in our cohort (crude and among patients aged older than 50 years), thereafter adjusting these rates for age to the general population of the city district of Bologna (Italy). Results In 1992, 22 inpatients had a first-ever stroke with no evidence of iatrogenic factors. The crude stroke incidence rate was 11.08/1000 per year (95% confidence interval, 6.95 to 16.73). The age-adjusted rate was 5.46 (95% confidence interval, 3.42 to 8.24). Conclusions The incidence rate of first-ever stroke among hospitalized patients is higher than those reported in community-based studies. Higher frequency of coronary artery disease among our patients could explain our findings. Further studies are needed to identify possible predisposing factors (individual or environmental) for stroke among inpatients.