Incidence and short-term outcome of cerebral infarction in young adults in western Norway.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

We sought to determine the incidence and short-term outcome of people aged 15 to 49 years with first-ever cerebral infarction in 1988-1997 in Hordaland County, Norway.

METHODS

Cases were found from computer search of hospital registries and detailed review of patient records. Stroke subtype was classified according to the major intracranial artery affected. Short-term outcome was evaluated by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS).

RESULTS

A total of 96 women and 136 men met the inclusion criteria. The average annual incidence was 11.4/100 000. Women outnumbered men among those aged <30 years (P=0.059); men predominated among those aged > or =30 years (P=0.004). A total of 148 patients had anterior circulation infarction (64%), and 84 had posterior circulation infarction (36%) (P<0.001). Patients with posterior circulation infarction had better mRS score at discharge (P=0.005). Eighty percent had favorable outcome (mRS score < or =2). The 30-day case fatality rate was 3.4%. The recurrence rate in hospital was 2.2%.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence was in the lower range compared with other reports from western Europe. Although men predominated, there was a strong trend toward more women among patients aged <30 years. Short-term outcome was generally good. Patients with posterior circulation infarction had significantly better short-term outcome.