Epidemiology of stroke

Epidemiološki podaci pokazuju daje moždani udar (MU) jedan od najvažnijih uzroka morbiditeta i letaliteta, a vodeći uzrok invaliditeta u svijetu i u nas. Populacijske neuroepidemiološke studije MU-a važne su za utvrđivanje morbiditeta (incidencije i prevalencije) i mortaliteta, te dugoročnog ishoda ove bolesti. Bolničke studije omogućuju procjenu ranoga letaliteta i kratkoročnoga ishoda MU-a. U epidemiološkim istraživanjima MU-a nužno je primjenjivati međunarodno prihvaćene standarde. Iako su podaci o epidemiologiji MU-a u našoj zemlji zastarjeli i nepotpuni, studije provedene na bolničkom materijalu u zadnjih petnaestak godina daju određenu sliku aktualnoga stanja i ukazuju na nepovoljne trendove u obolijevanju i umiranju od ove bolesti. Postojeći sustav zbrinjavanja bolesnika s MU-om ne zadovoljava potrebe i nije u skladu sa suvremenim trendovima u Europi i svijetu. Postoji realna potreba reorganizacije toga sustava po uzoru na druge zemlje u Europi, koje imaju slične probleme i epidemiološke pokazatelje.Epidemiological data show that stroke is one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability in most industrialized populations, as well as in our country. Community-based studies are important for the establishment of both morbidity (incidence and prevalence) and mortality and long-term outcome of stroke. Hospital-based studies enable the assessment of case fatality and short-term outcome of stroke. In epidemiological researches of stroke it is necessary to use internationally accepted standards. Although results on stroke epidemiology in our country are outdated and incomplete, studies conducted on hospital material in the last 15 years show the current state and point to negative trends in having a stroke and dying from it. The existing system of health care for stroke patients does not satisfy the needs and is not in accordance with latest trends in Europe and in the world. There is a need of reorganization of the stroke health care system in Croatia and to prepare the national project of stroke prevention and treatment similar to those in other European countries with unfavourable epidemiological data