Characteristics of Stroke in Tibet Autonomous Region in China: A Hospital-Based Study of Acute Stroke

Background and Purpose: We know little of the current status of stroke in Tibet Autonomous Region in China. This study was designed to investigate the characteristics of acute stroke in Tibet. Methods: We conducted a hospital-based study on acute first-ever stroke in the People's Hospital of Tibet Autonomous Region (PHOTAR), and then compared the data collected to that from West China Hospital (WCH). Results: The study included 301 inpatients from PHOTAR and 3,334 from WCH. The peak age group in PHOTAR was one decade younger than in WCH. Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) was the main stroke subtype in PHOTAR (74.1%). The prevalence of hypertension and heavy alcohol consumption prior to stroke were the most important vascular risk factors. Treatments for stroke in PHOTAR lacked standardization and in-hospital mortality was higher for each subtype. Conclusions: ICH is the dominant stroke subtype in Tibet Autonomous Region, and can be attributed to high rates of hypertension and heavy alcohol consumption. Greater public awareness of stroke and effective management of risk factors should be implemented immediately in Tibet. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel