Incidence, risk factors and short-term mortality of stroke in Vittoria, southern Italy

We determined the incidence, risk factors, and short-term mortality of stroke in a well-defined area of southern Italy, i.e. the city of Vittoria, Sicily (58 833 inhabitants). The medical records of the local hospitals and the outpatient files of the local neurologist referring to the calendar year 1991 were retrospectively investigated. Stroke was defined according to standard criteria and classified as first-ever (FE) and recur-rent (R). Risk factors for stroke were diagnosed from medical history, laboratory and instrumental findings, and in the presence of specific treatments. Short-term mortality was assessed as 30-day case-fatality rate. The sample included 120 cases (61 men) aged 34-94 years, 89 of whom (48 men) had a FE stroke. The overall annual crude incidence rate of FE stroke was 165.3 per 100 000 (men, 178.4; women 152.2); for FE and R stroke together it was 222.9 (men, 226.8; women 219.1). The standardized rates were 245.3 (FE stroke) and 321.9 (FE and R stroke). The age-specific rates for FE stroke were 9.4 (<55 years), 262.2 (55-64 years), 645.2 (65-74 years), 2019.7 (75-84 years), and 3246.8 (>= 85 years). The corresponding values for FE and R stroke were 11.7, 412.0, 887.1, 2565.5, and 4220.8. In patients with FE stroke, cerebral infarction was the main type. Hypertension, diabetes and cardiac disorders were the commonest risk factors, with similar distribution among FE and R stroke. The 30-day case-fatality rate was 28% for FE and R stroke and 38% for FE stroke. Compared to other reports, the incidence of stroke in Vittoria was lower in the youngest but higher in the oldest age groups. Although the small sample size and possibility of misdiagnoses may partly explain our findings, the roles of different dietary, social. and genetic factors in the local population war-rant investigation.