PREVALENCE OF STROKE AND STROKE-RELATED DISABILITY IN NORTH TRONDELAGCOUNTY, NORWAY

The purpose of this study was (1) to measure the period prevalence of stroke in a community-based sample of Norwegians; (2) to compare this to prevalences reported by others; and (3) to assess the magnitude of disability associated with stroke. The North Trondelag Health Survey c omprised 74,977 persons. Self-reported previous stroke as well as impa ired functions were recorded. The crude prevalence of stroke was 18.5 per 1,000, and the prevalence standardized to the age and sex distribu tion of the European population was 9.6 per 1,000. The crude prevalenc es reported in the literature vary from 8.0 to 38.6 per 1,000, and the standardized prevalences from 4.5 to 11.3 per 1,000. Among the stroke patients, 87% regarded themselves as having some impaired functioning , 84% had no work (not even housework), and 24% were full-time residen ts in an institution. In all age groups, the stroke patients stated to be significantly more disabled, significantly less vocationally activ e, and significantly more often permanently institutionalized than res pondents without stroke.