STROKE - TRENDS IN MORTALITY IN ANDALUSIA (SPAIN), 1975-1992

The aim of this study was to explore temporal changes in stroke mortal ity in Andalusia over the period 1975-1992. Mortality rates were stand ardized directly using those of the European population as the standar d, and regression analysis was undertaken. Age standardized overall mo rtality rates for stroke decreased considerably among men, from 199.42 to 103.74 (-3.5% per year). A similar pattern was also observed among women as mortality rates diminished from 160.48 in 1975 to 92.43 in 1 992 (-3.3% per year). Despite the remarkable decline in the death rate , this disease still accounted for 1 in 35 deaths in women and for 1 i n 23 deaths in men in 1992. This study confirms that time trends in st roke mortality are similar to those of most industrial countries.