Incidence of Lobar and Non-Lobar Spontaneous Intracerebral Haemorrhage in a Predominantly Hispanic-Mestizo Population – The PISCIS Stroke Project: A Community-Based Prospective Study in Iquique, Chile

Background: The incidence of intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) in Hispanics is high, especially of non-lobar ICH. Our aim was to ascertain prospectively the incidence of first-ever spontaneous ICH (SICH) stratified by localisation in a Hispanic- Mestizo population of the north of Chile. Methods: Between July 2000 and June 2002 all possible cases of ICH were ascertained from multiple overlapping sources. The cases were allocated according to localisation. Those with vascular malformations or non-identifiable localisations were excluded. Results: We identified a total of 69 cases of first-ever ICH. Of these, 64 (92.7%) had SICH, of which we allocated 58 cases (84%) to non-lobar or lobar localisation. The mean age was 57.3 8 17 years, and 62.3% of the subjects were male. The age-adjusted incidence rates were 13.8 (non-lobar) and 4.9 (lobar) per 100,000 person-years. Non-lobar SICH was more frequent in young males and lobar SICH in older women. The non-lobar-to-lobar ratio was similar to previous findings in Hispanics. Hypertension was more frequent in nonlobar SICH and in diabetes, heavy drinking and antithrombotic use in lobar SICH, but in none significantly. There was no association between localisation and prognosis. Conclusions: The incidence of non-lobar SICH was high, but lower than in most non-white populations. This lower incidence could be due to a lower population prevalence of risk factors, a higher socioeconomic level in this population, or chance.P.M.L. has received research grants, research support and travel grants by Sanofi-Synthelabo Chile, Boehringer Ingelheim and Glaxo Smith Kline. C.S. has received research support and travel grants by Sanofi-Synthelabo Chile, Boehringer Ingelheim and Glaxo Smith Kline. This investigation was possible thanks to the unconditional support of Sanofi-Aventis Chile, Glaxo Smith Kline and Boehringer Ingelheim