[The prevalence of cerebrovascular stroke in Coimbra].

The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of strokes in a community-based on a sample of the population of the county of Coimbra in 1992 (139,000 inhabitants). The study was made with the collaboration of local general practitioners who randomly selected a sample of 950 individuals over 50 years of age. These individuals were screened for the presence of vascular risk factors and strokes in the past, and submitted to clinical and laboratory examinations. There were 86 persons with strokes (crude prevalence 8%: 10.2% male, 6.6% female) the diagnosis being confirmed by neurological examination or analysis of hospital registers. Hypertension was significantly more frequent in patients with strokes (56.8%). Other risk factors had no significant differences. The magnitude of disability associated with stroke was assessed according to the modified Rankin scale. About fifty percent had no significant disability or a slight disability and 20% were severely disabled.