Ethnic differences in incidence of stroke: prospective study with stroke register

JA Stewart, R Dundas, RS Howard, AG Rudd, CDA Wolfe*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

261 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective To identify ethnic differences in the. incidence of first ever stroke.

Design A prospective community stroke register (1995-6) with multiple notification sources. Pathological classification of stroke in all cases was based on brain imaging or necropsy data. Rates were standardised to European and world populations and adjusted for age, sex, and social class in multivariate analysis.

Setting A multi-ethnic population of 234 533 in south London, of whom 21% are black.

Results 612 strokes were registered. The crude annual incidence rate tvas 1.3 strokes per 1000 population per year (95% confidence interval 1.20 to 1.41) and 1.25 per 1000 population per year (1.15 to 1.35) age adjusted to the standard European population. Incidence rates adjusted for age and sex were significantly higher in black compared with white people (P <0.0001), with an incidence rate ratio of 2.21 (1.77 to 2.76), In multivariable analysis increasing age (P<0.0001), male sex (P <0.003), black ethnic group (P <0.0001), and lower social class CP <0.0001) in people aged 35-64 were independently associated with an increased incidence of stroke,

Conclusions Incidence rates of stroke are higher in the black population; this is not explained by confounders such as social class, age, and sex. Ethnic differences in genetic, physiological, and behavioural risk factors for stroke require further elucidation to aid development of effective strategies for stroke prevention in multi-ethnic communities.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)967-971
Number of pages9
JournalBMJ, British Medical Journal (Clinical Research Ed.)
Volume318
Issue number7189
Publication statusPublished - 10 Apr 1999

Keywords

  • BLACK-WHITE DIFFERENCES
  • CEREBROVASCULAR-DISEASE
  • CASE-FATALITY
  • NORTHERN MANHATTAN
  • INCIDENCE RATES
  • RISK-FACTORS
  • MORTALITY
  • COMMUNITY
  • HYPERTENSION
  • ENGLAND

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