Global Stroke Burden Up

The overall burden of stroke in terms of absolute numbers of people affected around the world is growing, especially in low-to-middle-income countries, warns Valery L Feigin, from the Auckland University of Technology (New Zealand), and colleagues. The team analyzed data collected from 119 studies of stroke prevalence, and found that in 2010, there were 16.9 million people who had a first stroke, 33 million stroke survivors, and 5.9 million people who died from a stroke -- increases of 68%, 84%, and 26% respectively since 1990.  Additionally, the team determined that 102 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were lost, up 12%.  Importantly, the investigators also revealed a 25% increased incidence of stroke in those ages 20 to 64 years.  By 2030, the study authors warn that if those trends continue, there will be an estimated 12 million stroke deaths, 70 million stroke survivors, and more than 200 million DALYs lost globally each year, with low- and middle-income countries bearing the brunt of the burden.