Ethnic differences in stroke incidence and case fatality in Auckland, New Zealand

Abstract

Background and purpose: This study compares stroke incidence, 28-day case fatality, and hospital management for Maori, Pacific Islands people ("Pacific people"), and others (mostly Europeans) living in Auckland, New Zealand.

Methods: Data come from the Auckland Stroke Study, a population-based study that registered all stroke events occurring among Auckland residents aged 15 years or more during a 1-year period ending February 29, 1992.

Results: During the study year, 1803 stroke events were registered, including 82 (4.5%) in Maori, 113 (6.3%) in Pacific people, 1572 (87.2%) in Europeans, and 36 (2.0%) in others of Indian or Chinese origin. The mean +/- SD age of stroke patients was 55.0 +/- 16.0 years in Maori, 59.7 +/- 14.9 years in Pacific people, and 73.3 +/- 12.1 years in Europeans. Maori and Pacific people have significantly higher estimated relative risks of stroke compared with Europeans (OR, 1.34; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05 to 1.67 in Maori; and OR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.33 to 1.98 in Pacific people). Maori and Pacific people also have higher estimated relative risks of death within 28 days of stroke compared with Europeans, especially men.

Conclusions: This study indicates that there are important differences in stroke incidence rates and case fatality among the major ethnic groups in Auckland. The reasons for the higher incidence rates in Maori and Pacific people may be related to levels of risk factors, but this requires further investigation. Ongoing monitoring of stroke incidence and outcome should include separate reporting by ethnicity.