Case fatality rate of first-ever stroke in erbil city

ABSTRACT

Stroke is the third most common cause of death. The objective of this study was to find out the case fatality rate of first-ever stroke in Erbil city. This cross-sectional study included 228 first-ever stroke patients hospitalized to teaching hospitals in Erbil city from January, 1[st] 2009 to August, 31st 2009. Stroke was diagnosed by the consultant internist or neurologist and confirmed by brain CT-scan. Patients were followed-up and one month case-fatality rate was calculated. The one month case-fatality rate was 23.7% with a higher proportion of deaths occurred in females [26.4%] than in males [21.2%] [P= 0.358]. The case-fatality increased with age [P= 0.019]; around 75% of deaths occurred in the 7[th] and 8th decades of life and more than 95% occurred among those 60 years and more. More deaths occurred from haemorrhagic [31.3%] than ischaemic [20.7%] strokes [P= 0.093]. The mean +/- SD ages of dead and alive were 68.56 +/- 11.52 and 61.32 +/- 12.91 years, respectively [P=0.001]. Multiple logistic regression revealed significant association of stroke outcome with age [P= 0.037] and atrial fibrillation [P=0.001]. The one month case-fatality rate was relatively comparable to that reported in other developing countries