Abstract
Background
The average life expectancy of a person aged 75 in Finland is approximately
10 years. A substantial threat to the quality of life during these years is
stroke, which is common among the elderly, may hamper independent living and
places a substantial burden on health care resources. The aim of the present
study was to analyse the trends in incidence, mortality and prognosis of
acute stroke events in persons aged ≥ 75 years in Finland.
Design
A population-based stroke register study.
Methods
The FINSTROKE register recorded all stroke events in persons aged
≥ 75 years (n = 5493) among
inhabitants of the town of Turku from 1982 to 1992 and again from 1996 to
1998, and in the Kuopio area from 1990 to 1997.
Results
At the end of the study period, the age group ≥ 75 years
constituted 3.8% of the population of study areas among men and
8.7% among women. This population segment contributed
35% of strokes among men and 66% among women. Of all
strokes in this age group, 73% occurred among women. Data
suggested that the mortality and incidence of acute stroke events were
declining, but the 28-day case fatality did not change. At day 28 after the
onset of stroke, only 26% of men and 19% of women had
recovered well enough to be capable of independent living.
Conclusions
Stroke mortality among the elderly is declining in Finland, which is mainly
due to the decline in the incidence of stroke events.