Prevalence of stroke and related burden among older people living in Latin America, India and China

Abstract

ObjectivesDespite the growing importance of stroke in developing countries, little is known of stroke burden in survivors. The authors investigated the prevalence of self-reported stroke, stroke-related disability, dependence and care-giver strain in Latin America (LA), China and India.MethodsCross-sectional surveys were conducted on individuals aged 65+ (n=15 022) living in specified catchment areas. Self-reported stroke diagnosis, disability, care needs and care giver burden were assessed using a standardised protocol. For those reporting stroke, the correlates of disability, dependence and care-giver burden were estimated at each site using Poisson or linear regression, and combined meta-analytically.ResultsThe prevalence of self-reported stroke ranged between 6% and 9% across most LA sites and urban China, but was much lower in urban India (1.9%), and in rural sites in India (1.1%), China (1.6%) and Peru (2.7%). The proportion of stroke survivors needing care varied between 20% and 39% in LA sites but was higher in rural China (44%), urban China (54%) and rural India (73%). Comorbid dementia and depression were the main correlates of disability and dependence.ConclusionThe prevalence of stroke in urban LA and Chinese sites is nearly as high as in industrialised countries. High levels of disability and dependence in the other mainly rural and less-developed sites suggest underascertainment of less severe cases as one likely explanation for the lower prevalence in those settings. As the health transition proceeds, a further increase in numbers of older stroke survivors is to be anticipated. In addition to prevention, stroke rehabilitation and long-term care needs should be addressed.

Diseases of the Rich? The Social Patterning of Hypertension in Six Low- and Middle-Income Countries

“…Uncontrolled hypertension is a key, potentially preventable and readily treatable, risk factor for many prevalent diseases including stroke, ischaemic heart disease, renal insufficiency and dementia (Steyn et al, 2005;Ferri et al, 2011). Hypertension itself shares risks factors (such as obesity and lack of exercise) with other conditions, such as diabetes.…”

Prevalence and risk factors for stroke in a population of Southern Brazil

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Validation of the Frenchay activity index on stroke victims

“…According to a study conducted in Latin America, the proportion of stroke survivors requiring care varies between 20% and 39%. A significant proportion of these survivors have a moderate or severe disability and require the assistance of a caregiver, increased family support and resource utilization from the health system and other social institutions 2 . In recent years, different studies have evaluated the functional prognosis through determinants prior to disease or from the acute/subacute stroke phases 3,4 .…”

“…, Jamary Oliveira-Filho 1 , Elen Beatriz Pinto 1,2 Stroke, besides being an important cause of death, is the leading cause of severe disability and dependence, affecting activities of daily living (ADL) 1 . According to a study conducted in Latin America, the proportion of stroke survivors requiring care varies between 20% and 39%.…”