The third stroke registry in Tartu, Estonia, from 2001 to 2003

Objectives - The main goal of the Third Stroke Registry in Tartu was to determine the incidence and 28-day case-fatality of first-ever stroke in an Estonian population. Subjects and methods - Stroke registry was conducted from 1 December 2001 to 30 November 2003. Results - The registry included 451 patients. The incidence rate of first-ever stroke age-standardized to the European population was 188/100,000. Among younger patients, the rates for men dominated. The incidence among men aged 0-44 years was 18/100,000, for women 9/100,000. In the age group 45-54 years, the corresponding rates were 143/100,000 and 98/100,000 respectively. The overall 28-day case-fatality rate was 26%. Conclusions - The total stroke incidence in Tartu is comparable with other European studies, but the rates for younger patients are higher. This may be associated with lower quality of life, less attention to public health, high prevalence and/or poor control of stroke risk factors. The 28-day case-fatality is somewhat higher than in other European centres.