A PROSPECTIVE-STUDY OF STROKE IN YOUNG-ADULTS IN CANTABRIA, SPAIN

Background and Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the inc idence, type, and prognosis of stroke in young adults in Cantabria, Sp ain. Methods: We investigated prospectively all patients aged 50 years or below who were admitted with the diagnosis of a stroke to the Univ ersity Hospital ''Marquis de Valdecilla'' from April 1, 1986, to March 31, 1988. This is the main hospital of the region to which all patien ts with neurological problems are referred. These patients underwent a complete clinical and laboratory assessment for stroke and had 1-year mean follow-up. Results: The total series included 81 patients. The a nnual age-specific crude incidence rates of stroke were 17.3 and 10.4 per 100,000 for males and females, respectively. Twenty-four patients (30%) were diagnosed as having nonembolic cerebral infarction, 14 (17% ) embolic cerebral infarction, 20 (25%) subarachnoid hemorrhage, 22 (2 7%) spontaneous cerebral hemorrhage, and one case (1%) cerebral venous thrombosis. Eighteen patients (22%) died within 30 days of the cerebr ovascular event, and two others died during the follow-up period. Seve nty-nine percent of the survivors recovered and were completely self-s ufficient. Conclusions: The incidence of stroke in the young found in Cantabria is comparable with that in previous studies. The initial hos pital mortality was not negligible, but the prognosis among the surviv ors was favorable.