[1st hospital admissions and deaths from cerebrovascular diseases in the Warsaw population].

On the basis of an analysis of documentation from hospital the annual rate of first admissions for cerebrovascular disturbances was assessed in the population of the city district of Warsaw. The total rate was 123/100 000, including 22 for subarachnoid and cerebral haemorrhage. The rate was highest in the age group over 70 years (1162/100 000). The annual average death rate caused by these disease was 94/100 000. In the first month after admission 41% of patients died (including 77% with the diagnosis of cerebral haemorrhage) and during 6 months 52% died. The diagnosis of cerebrovascular disturbances was mentioned in only about 75% of death certificates of patients dying within one month from admission. In the Wrasaw population the annual rate of first admission and average annual death rate were on the average 1.5 times higher than the mean values for the whole country. Difficulties with the use of medical documentation for epidemiological studies are discussed.