Background and purpose: We analyzed the statistical characteristics of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in Hungary in 2009.
Methods: Using data supplied by the hospitals about their inpatient services to the National Health Insurance Fund with ICD-10 code 160.
Results: 1403 SAH hospital cases were recorded in 1028 patients. That is much more than we expected from previous data. 63.6% were women, hospital case fatality was 12.2%. The average hospital stay was 6.47 days. 763 CT examinations were done (74.2% of the patients). Hypertension was recorded in 61.3% of the patients. The incidence was increasing with age till the age group of 51-60 years, and decreased beyond that. In 531 patients the source of bleeding could be verified. Aneurysm of the anterior communicating artery was more frequent in men, aneurysm of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) and internal carotid artery in women. In total MCA aneurysm was the most frequent. Arteriovenous malformation was present in 7.6% of the patients. SAH was most frequent in January and February, rarest in April and August.
Conclusion: SAH is more frequent in Hungary than previously thought.