Background: The main goal of the Third Stroke Registry in Tartu was to determine the incidence and 28-day case-fatality rates for first-ever stroke in an Estonian population.
Methods: The data collection started on 01.12.2001. All patients with first-ever stroke living in Tartu were registered.
Results: During the first year, 234 first-ever stroke cases were registered. The incidence rate of first-ever stroke age-standardised to the European population was 195/100,000, 214 (95% CI, 185-243) for men and 181 (95% CI, 155-208) per 100,000 for women. Sixty-eight patients (29%) died within 28 days of stroke onset.
Conclusions: The incidence and 28-day case-fatality rate of stroke in Estonia are high compared to other countries. It might be related to higher risk factor prevalence, stress and socioeconomic status.
Copyright 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel