Article

Because of the growing size and aging of the world's population, the global
burden of stroke is increasing dramatically. Current epidemiological data
indicate that 16.9million people suffer a stroke each year, which represents a
global incidence of 258/100,000/year, with marked differences between high- and
low-income countries, and an age-adjusted incidence 1.5 times higher in men than
in women. Although primary prevention has contributed to a decrease in stroke
incidence in high-income countries, the so-called 'epidemiological transition'
has led to an increase in incidence in middle-to-low-income countries as well. In
addition, the incidence of ischemic stroke in young adults is on the rise,
suggesting a need for specific preventative interventions in that age group. The number of stroke survivors almost doubled between 1990 and 2010, and has now
reached 33 million people. According to epidemiological projections, this number
will rise to 77 million by 2030.
In France, the number of hospitalizations for an
acute cerebrovascular event was about 138,000 in 2009, accounting for 3% of the
total national health expenditure. Outcomes after stroke are frequently impaired
by complications, including motor handicaps, dementia, depression, fatigue, and a
high risk of early rehospitalization and institutionalization, with adverse
consequences in terms of socioeconomic costs. In addition, there are 5.9 million
stroke-related deaths worldwide every year. Finally, although many analytical
epidemiological studies have considerably increased our knowledge of risk factors
for stroke, the recent INTERSTROKE study provided evidence that 10 risk factors
alone accounted for 88% of all strokes. Many of these risk factors are
modifiable, which suggests that efforts should be made to promote interventions
that aim to reduce the risk of stroke. A new 'mass approach' aiming to reduce the
level of stroke risk factors in all people in a region, regardless of any given
individual's level of risk, is currently still being developed. This interesting
and innovative way to spread stroke awareness is based on the use of an
internationally validated mobile-phone application that can calculate the risk of
stroke for any given individual, and also contains a section to educate people on
stroke warning symptoms and signs.
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Langue : ANGLAIS