Declining Rate and Severity of Hospitalized Stroke From 2004 to 2013

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Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and disability. We assessed trends in rates of hospitalized stroke and stroke severity on admission in a prospective national registry of stroke from 2004 to 2013. All 6693 acute ischemic strokes and intracerebral hemorrhage in the National Acute Stroke Israeli participants ≥20 years old were included. Data were prospectively collected in 2004 (February-March), 2007 (March-April), 2010 (April-May), and 2013 (March-April). Rates of hospitalized stroke from 2004 to 2013 were studied using generalized linear models assuming a quasi-Poisson error distribution with a log link. Stroke severity on admission was determined using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score and trends were studied. Analysis was performed for stroke overall and by sex and age-group as well as by stroke type. Estimated average annual rates of hospitalized stroke decreased from 24.9/10 000 in 2004 to 19.5/10 000 in 2013. The age and sex-adjusted rates ratio (95% confidence interval) for hospitalized stroke overall was 0.82 (0.76-0.89) for 2007, 0.71 (0.65-0.77) for 2010, and 0.72 (0.66-0.78) for 2013 compared with 2004. Severity on admission decreased over time: rates (95% confidence interval) of severe stroke (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of ≥11) decreased from 27% (25%-29%) in 2004 to 19% (17%-21%) in 2013, whereas rates (95% confidence interval) of minor stroke (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of ≤5) increased from 46% (44%-49%) in 2004 to 60% (57%-62%) in 2013 (P<0.0001). Findings were consistent by sex, age-group, and stroke type. Based on our national data, rates of hospitalized stroke and severity of stroke on admission have decreased from 2004 to 2013 overall and by stroke type, in men and women. Despite the observed declines in rates and severity, stroke continues to place a considerable burden to the Israeli health system.