[Incidence and mortality of ischaemic stroke among people 60 years or older in the region of Tarragona, Spain]

Abstract

Background: Population-based data available about the epidemiology of acute myocardial infarction is limited. This study investigated incidence and mortality from infarction among the general population over 60 years in Tarragona.

Methods: Cohort study that included 27,204 individuals ≥60 years assigned to nine Primary Care Centers in the Tarragones county (Catalonia, Spain), who were prospectively followed between 01/12/2008 and 30/11/2011. During follow-up, all presumptive episodes of infarction were recruited among cohort members, but only confirmed cases (electrocardiogram and biomarkers confirmation) were included.

Results: There were an amount of 359 confirmed episodes of infarction, which means a global incidence rate of 475 episodes per 100,000 person-years (95% CI: 428-527). Incidence was 681 in men and 311in women (p<0.001). According to age, incidence was 277 in 60-69, 632 in 70-79 and 690 per 100,000 in ≥80 years (p<0.001). Incidence was 2,844 cases per 100,000 person-years among those persons whom had history of prior coronary artery disease. Overall 30-day mortality rate was 15.3%, in male 14.9% and in female 16.0% (p=0.776).

Conclusion: Incidence was 2.2 times higher in men than in woman and increased considerable by age. It was greater among patients with prior history of coronary artery disease. Mortality was slightly lower in men than in women.