Stroke Incidence

How it works

Comparisons

Background

Evidence quality

Highlighted claims

• Age- and sex-standardised stroke incidence rose significantly from 227.6 to 244.8 per 100,000 between 2020 and 2023. — Measurement of quality of stroke care with national electronic health records: a prospective cohort study during and after the COVID-19 pandemic
• In 2023, stroke incidence recorded in primary care was highest at 172.6 per 100,000, followed by hospital episodes, stroke audit, and death records. — Measurement of quality of stroke care with national electronic health records: a prospective cohort study during and after the COVID-19 pandemic
• During COVID-19 lockdowns, non-fatal stroke recordings fell sharply and stroke-related deaths rose, reflecting changed healthcare-seeking behaviour rather than a true reduction in events. — Measurement of quality of stroke care with national electronic health records: a prospective cohort study during and after the COVID-19 pandemic
• Ischaemic strokes were disproportionately under-recorded during lockdowns, suggesting milder strokes were the most likely to go unrecorded as patients avoided hospital contact. — Measurement of quality of stroke care with national electronic health records: a prospective cohort study during and after the COVID-19 pandemic
• Stroke incidence estimates from linked EHRs are likely higher than true rates due to overuse of stroke codes in primary care and difficulty separating first from recurrent events. — Measurement of quality of stroke care with national electronic health records: a prospective cohort study during and after the COVID-19 pandemic