J Stroke.  2017 Sep;19(3):286-294. 10.5853/jos.2017.00234.

Stroke Epidemiology in South, East, and South-East Asia: A Review

• Venketasubramanian N
• Yoon BW
• Pandian J
• Navarro JC

• KMID: 2408394
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5853/jos.2017.00234

Abstract

Asia, which holds 60% of the world's population, comprises some developing countries which are in economic transition. This paper reviews the epidemiology of stroke in South, East and South-East Asia. Data on the epidemiology of stroke in South, East, and South-East Asia were derived from the Global Burden of Disease study (mortality, disability-adjusted life-years [DALYs] lost because of stroke), World Health Organization (vascular risk factors in the community), and publications in PubMed (incidence, prevalence, subtypes, vascular risk factors among hospitalized stroke patients). Age- and sex-standardized mortality is the lowest in Japan, and highest in Mongolia. Community-based incidence data of only a few countries are available, with the lowest rates being observed in Malaysia, and the highest in Japan and Taiwan. The availability of prevalence data is higher than incidence data, but different study methods were used for case-finding, with different age bands. For DALYs, Japan has the lowest rates, and Mongolia the highest. For community, a high prevalence of hypertension is seen in Mongolia and Pakistan; diabetes mellitus in Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, and Mongolia; hypercholesterolemia in Japan, Singapore, and Brunei; inactivity in Malaysia; obesity in Brunei, Papua New Guinea, and Mongolia; tobacco smoking in Indonesia. Hypertension is the most frequent risk factor, followed by diabetes mellitus and smoking. Ischemic stroke occurs more frequently than hemorrhagic stroke, and subarachnoid hemorrhages are uncommon. There are variations in the stroke epidemiology between countries in South, East, and South-East Asia. Further research on stroke burden is required.

Keyword

Cerebrovascular disorders; Stroke; Epidemiology; Risk factors; Asia

MeSH Terms

Asia*
Brunei
Cerebrovascular Disorders
Developing Countries
Diabetes Mellitus
Epidemiology*
Hypercholesterolemia
Hypertension
Incidence
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Mongolia
Mortality
Obesity
Pakistan
Papua New Guinea
Prevalence
Risk Factors
Singapore
Smoke
Smoking
Stroke*
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Taiwan
World Health Organization
Smoke