Stroke in Asia: geographical variations and temporal trends

Thrombolysis for Acute Ischemic Stroke: Experience in Dubai, and Comparison of Arab with Non-Arab Population

“…A systematic review from 2009 highlighted the dearth of sound epidemiological data from these countries [1]. More recently a review on temporal trends suggested a rise in stroke incidence in Asian countries, an earlier age at onset, and a relative increase in ischemic stroke subtypes [2]. There is reason to believe that since Arab countries are in a similar stage of epidemiological transition as other Asian countries, they would be sharing these trends as well.…”

Regional variation in acute stroke care organisation

“…This is important, because the pattern of stroke is rapidly changing in Asia with urbanisation, causing an increase in rates of ischemic stroke, and a need to provide pathways and protocols similar to those reported in western countries. [15] MIC hospitals were predominantly larger with high patient-flow, and this 'volume-outcome relationship' has been shown to be an important predictor of short-term mortality in some, [16] but not all, [17] stroke studies. However, participating HIC hospitals may have adopted a twotiered (or 'hub-and-spoke') model of stroke care in which a central 'comprehensive stroke centre' serves a number of smaller hospitals working as 'primary stroke centres' for thrombolysis of AIS patients, using protocols for transfer to larger hospitals for interventional therapies and telemedicine assistance.…”

“…[15] Another difference in stroke care is that MIC hospitals had fewer multidisciplinary stroke care and referral protocols to different health professionals when compared to HIC hospitals.…”

Trends in Stroke Incidence and 28-Day Case Fatality in a Nationwide Stroke Registry of a Multiethnic Asian Population

“…27 A recent systematic review has confirmed the lack of reliable information regarding temporal trends of stroke in most countries in Southeast Asia, despite the substantial impact these countries have on the global burden from cerebrovascular diseases. 17 Their findings indicate the need for reliable epidemiological data from the region that will help to better describe variable trends across countries of different developmental stage, identify mechanisms that are specific to ethnicity, and develop culturally adequate preventive strategies that could have considerable impact on the future global burden of cerebrovascular diseases.…”

“…[17][18][19] In addition, there seems to be a lack of information regarding trends in important population subgroups to identify at-risk populations and estimate the future burden of disease. Finally, there is no data exploring interethnic differences in a multiethnic Asian population.…”