Cerebrovascular disease morbidity on the territory of the municipality of Doljevac

Abstract

Cerebrovascular diseases have drawn great public attention recently due to a high death rate and an even higher disability rate. The aim of the research was to determine the basic descriptive-epidemic characteristics of patients with cerebrovascular diseases, to assess the incidence rate according to the gender and age, as well as mortality and the disease prognosis after one-year follow up period. A prospective survey was conducted, and the study included all registered patients with cerebrovascular diseases from the municipality of Doljevac in the period from 2005-2007, who were monitored for 1 year since the onset of the disease. During the period monitored, there were a total of 230 patients suffering from this disease. The average standardised incidence rate in both genders was 274.67. Ischemic brain stroke occurred in 146 (63.4%) subjects, the intracerebral haemorrhage in 39 (17%) and the subarachnoid haemorrhage occurred in 9 (3.9%). The 90-day lethality was 14.8%; 1-year lethality was 21.7%. Out of 123 patients (53.4%), who were recorded to have various degree of disability, 44 (35.8%) were independent in everyday activities, 41 (33.3%) needed assistance while walking and maintaining personal hygiene, whereas 38 (30.9) were bedridden. After a year of monitoring, 30 (13.1%) patients suffered a recurrent brain stroke. Cerebrovascular disease morbidity rate was found to be increasing. However, there were no statistically significant differences in morbidity by diagnosis and the disease outcome between genders.