Objective: To estimate the trend of incidence rate of acute stroke event in the population aged 25-74 in urban areas of Beijing from 1984 to 1999.
Methods: All stroke events in defined population were ascertained and validated according to unified protocol and criteria. A total number of 6,553 stroke events were analyzed, crude rates and aged-standardized rates for all stroke events and first-ever stroke events were calculated for whole calendar years for the population. Temporal annual rates of stroke were estimated for 16 years.
Results: Annual stroke attack rates increased both in men and women with an average annual percentage changes 4.5% and 4.2%, respectively. Annual first-ever stroke incidence rate increased both in men and women with average annual percentage changes 4.1% and 4.2%, respectively. Most remarkable increase was noticed in the 65-69 and 70-74 age groups.
Conclusion: Rates of stroke attack incidence and first-ever incidence were increasing in the population of urban in Beijing, indicating the prevention of stroke be strengthened in the area.