| Summary: | Data on the functional outcome, prevalence of risk factors and comorbidity of stroke were collected in the population-based Finnmark Stroke Register in northern Norway. Findings for hospitalised first-ever strokes (n = 125) during the first registration year (1998-1999) are presented here. The median age of the patients was 70 years for men and 79 years for women. Cerebral infarctions comprised 81.6% of the strokes. Patients were severely handicapped: at discharge from hospital about 46% of those 75 years or older and about 21% of those younger than 75 years had severe disability by Rankin Scale. Women were more impaired than men. After hospitalisation, 45% of those 75 years or older and 21% of those younger than 75 years were sent to nursing home. The prevalence of risk factors and comorbidity was high: 29% of men (52% of women) had high blood pressure, 22% of men (25% of women) had atrial fibrillation, 22% of both men and women had diabetes, and 50% of men and 33% of women were current smokers. In conclusion, stroke victims in Finnmark were left with severe disability and need intensive rehabilitation. The prevalence of treatable risk factors was high; thus, primary and secondary prevention is the key to reduce the individual and social burden of stroke.
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