Background and Purpose: As a basis for comparison of differences in stroke incidence
in Scandinavian countries, a community-based stroke register was established in Örebro
in the centre of Sweden. Methods: All first-ever cases of stroke were registered
during a 12-month period 1999–2000. The study population was 123,503. The WHO definition
of stroke was used. Cases were searched inside as well as outside hospital. Multiple
overlapping sources and ‘hot pursuit’ technique were used in the process of case ascertainment.
Results: 388 cases of first-ever stroke were found, corresponding to a crude incidence
rate of 314 (95% CI, 283–348) per 100,000 per year, 337 (95% CI, 294–386) for females,
and 289 (95% CI, 248–336) for males. Adjusted to the European population, the corresponding
rates were 254 (95% CI, 227–284) per 100,000 per year, 273 (95% CI, 238–311) for females
and 232 (95% CI, 206–261) for males. The overall 28-day case-fatality rate was 19%
(95% CI, 15–23). The case-fatality rates for the different subtypes of stroke were
as follows: brain infarction, 10%; intracerebral haemorrhage, 20%; subarachnoidal
haemorrhage 45%, and undetermined pathological type 56%. Conclusions: The present
study as well as other studies in northern and middle Scandinavia show significantly
higher incidence rates than studies from other regions. The crude incidence rate,
reflecting the age distribution of the population, is even higher, indicating a burden
to the community that is rather increasing than decreasing.