The increasing burden of stroke

Across the world, incidence rates of stroke are predicted to increase in the coming years, with the fastest increase in incidence predicted to occur in Cyprus, Palestine, and South Africa.^1,3 The data are a call to action for policymakers to redouble their efforts to implement primary prevention programmes to reduce the incidence, and therefore burden, of stroke across the world.^1,2

Whilst incidence of ischaemic stroke is likely to increase globally, mortality and DALY burden are only predicted to increase in low socio-demographic index countries.^1,3 This is due to unequal access to healthcare and poorer facilities in lower-income countries contributing to inferior prognosis and disease burden in patients with ischaemic stroke.^1,3

References:

1. Pu L, Wang L, Zhang R, et al. Projected global trends in ischemic stroke incidence, deaths and disability-adjusted life years from 2020 to 2030. Stroke 2023; 54 (5): 1330–1339.

2. Thayabaranathan T, Kim J, Cadilhac DA, et al. Global stroke statistics 2022. Int J Stroke 2022; 17 (9): 946–956.

3. Fan J, Li X, Yu X, et al. Global burden, risk factor analysis, and prediction study of ischemic stroke, 1990–2030. Neurology 2023; 101 (2): e137–e150.