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Background: Contemporary data on stroke epidemiology and the availability of national stroke clinical registries are important for providing evidence to improve practice and support policy decisions. Aims: To update the most current incidence, case-fatality, and mortality rates on stroke and identify national stroke clinical registries worldwide. Methods: We searched multiple databases (based on our existing search strategy) to identify new original papers, published between 1 November 2018 and 15 December 2021, that met ideal criteria for data on stroke incidence and case-fatality, and added these to the studies reported in our last review. To identify national stroke clinical registries, we updated our last search, using PubMed, from 6 February 2015 until 6 January 2022. We also screened reference lists of review papers, citation history of papers, and the gray literature. Mortality codes for International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9 and ICD-10 were extracted from the World Health Organization (WHO) for each country providing these data. Population denominators were obtained from the United Nations (UN) or WHO (when data were unavailable in the UN database). Crude and adjusted stroke mortality rates were calculated using country-specific population denominators, and the most recent years of mortality data available for each country. Results: Since our last report in 2020, there were two countries (Chile and France) with new incidence studies meeting criteria for ideal population-based studies. New data on case-fatality were found for Chile and Kenya. The most current mortality data were available for the year 2014 (1 country), 2015 (2 countries), 2016 (11 countries), 2017 (10 countries), 2018 (19 countries), 2019 (36 countries), and 2020 (29 countries). Four countries (Libya, Solomon Islands, United Arab Emirates, and Lebanon) reported mortality data for the first time. Since our last report on registries in 2017, we identified seven more national stroke clinical registries, predominantly in high-income countries. These newly identified registries yielded limited information. Conclusions: Up-to-date data on stroke incidence, case-fatality, and mortality continue to provide evidence of disparities and the scale of burden in low- and middle-income countries. Although more national stroke clinical registries were identified, information from these newly identified registries was limited. Highlighting data scarcity or even where a country is ranked might help facilitate more research or greater policy attention in this field.

Rationale: Theoretically, most strokes could be prevented through the management of modifiable risk factors. The Stroke Riskometer™ mobile phone application (hereon “The App”) uses an individual’s data to provide personalized information and advice to reduce their risk of stroke. Aims: To determine the effect of The App on a combined cardiovascular risk score (Life’s Simple 7®, LS7) of modifiable risk factors at 6 months post-randomization. Methods and design: PERKS-International is a Phase III, multicentre, prospective, pragmatic, open-label, single-blinded endpoint, two-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT). Inclusion criteria are as follows: age ⩾ 35 and ⩽75 years; ⩾2 LS7 risk factors; smartphone ownership; no history of stroke/myocardial infarction/cognitive impairment/terminal illness. The intervention group (IG) will be provided with The App, and the usual care group (UCG) is provided with generic online information about risk factors, but not be informed about The App. Face-to-face assessments will be conducted at baseline and 6 months, and online at 3 and 12 months. The RCT includes a process and economic evaluation. Study outcomes and sample size: The primary outcome is a difference in the mean change in LS7 (seven individual items: blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, body mass index (BMI), smoking, physical activity, and diet) from baseline to 6 months post-randomization with intention-to-treat analysis. Secondary outcomes include: change in individual LS7 items, quality of life; stroke awareness, adverse events; health service use; and costs. Based on pilot data, 790 participants (395 IG, 395 UCG) will be required to provide 80% power (two-sided α = 0.05) to detect a mean difference in the LS7 of ⩾0.40 (SD 1.61) in IG compared to 0.01 (SD 1.44) in the UCG at 6 months post-randomization. Discussion: Stroke is largely preventable. This study will provide evidence of the effectiveness of a mobile app to reduce stroke risk. Trial registration: ACTRN12621000211864.

Oral and Poster Abstracts (in alphabetical order of first author) The following abstracts were accepted for presentation at the Stroke Society of Australasia Annual Scientific Meeting of 2021. We thank the authors for their contribution to the meeting and the Scientific Committee for their valuable input into the program. Erin Godecke and Nawaf Yassi Scientific Committee Co-Chairs

Introduction: The renal medulla is susceptible to hypoxia during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), which may contribute to the development of acute kidney injury. But the speed of onset of renal medullary hypoxia remains unknown. Methods: We continuously measured renal medullary oxygen tension (MPO2) in 24 sheep, and urinary PO2 (UPO2) as an index of MPO2 in 92 patients, before and after induction of CPB. Results: In laterally recumbent sheep with a right thoracotomy ( n = 20), even before CPB commenced MPO2 fell from (mean ± SEM) 52 ± 4 to 41 ±5 mmHg simultaneously with reduced arterial pressure (from 108 ± 5 to 88 ± 5 mmHg). In dorsally recumbent sheep with a medial sternotomy ( n = 4), MPO2 was even more severely reduced (to 12 ± 12 mmHg) before CPB. In laterally recumbent sheep in which a crystalloid prime was used ( n = 7), after commencing CPB, MPO2 fell abruptly to 24 ±6 mmHg within 20–30 minutes. MPO2 during CPB was not improved by adding donor blood to the prime ( n = 13). In patients undergoing cardiac surgery, UPO2 fell by 4 ± 1 mmHg and mean arterial pressure fell by 7 ± 1 mmHg during the 30 minutes before CPB. UPO2 then fell by a further 12 ± 2 mmHg during the first 30 minutes of CPB but remained relatively stable for the remaining 24 minutes of observation. Conclusions: Renal medullary hypoxia is an early event during CPB. It starts to develop even before CPB, presumably due to a pressure-dependent decrease in renal blood flow. Medullary hypoxia during CPB appears to be promoted by hypotension and is not ameliorated by increasing blood hemoglobin concentration.

Background Stroke rates and risk factors may change as percutaneous coronary intervention practice evolves and no data are available comparing stroke incidence after percutaneous coronary intervention to the general population. Aims This study aimed to identify the incidence and risk factors for inpatient and subsequent stroke following percutaneous coronary intervention with comparison to age-matched controls. Methods Data were prospectively collected from 22,618 patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention in the Melbourne Interventional Group registry (2005–2015). The cohort was compared to the North-East Melbourne Stroke Incidence Study population-based cohort (1997–1999) and predefined variables assessed for association with inpatient or outpatient stroke. Results Inpatient stroke occurred in 0.33% (65.3% ischemic, 28.0% haemorrhagic, and 6.7% cause unknown), while outpatient stroke occurred in 0.55%. Inpatient and outpatient stroke were associated with higher rates of in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular outcomes ( p Conclusions Risk of inpatient stroke following percutaneous coronary intervention appears to be largely associated with clinical status at presentation, while outpatient stroke relates more to age and chronic disease. Compared to the general population, outpatient stroke rates following percutaneous coronary intervention are higher for younger, but not older, patients.

Background Data on stroke epidemiology and availability of hospital-based stroke services around the world are important for guiding policy decisions and healthcare planning. Aims To provide the most current incidence, mortality and case–fatality data on stroke and describe current availability of stroke units around the world by country. Methods We searched multiple databases (based on our existing search strategy) to identify new original manuscripts and review articles published between 1 June 2016 and 31 October 2018 that met the ideal criteria for data on stroke incidence and case–fatality. For data on the availability of hospital-based stroke services, we searched PubMed for all literature published up until 31 June 2018. We further screened reference lists, citation history of manuscripts and gray literature for this information. Mortality codes for International Classification of Diseases-9 and International Classification of Diseases-10 were extracted from the World Health Organization mortality database for each country providing these data. Population denominators were obtained from the World Health Organization, and when these were unavailable within a two-year period of mortality data, population denominators within a two-year period were obtained from the United Nations. Using country-specific population denominators and the most recent years of mortality data available for each country, we calculated both the crude mortality from stroke and mortality adjusted to the World Health Organization world population. Results Since our last report in 2017, there were two countries with new incidence studies, China ( n = 1) and India ( n = 2) that met the ideal criteria. New data on case–fatality were found for Estonia and India. The most current mortality data were available for the year 2015 (39 countries), 2016 (43 countries), and 2017 (7 countries). No new data on mortality were available for six countries. Availability of stroke units was noted for 63 countries, and the proportion of patients treated in stroke units was reported for 35/63 countries. Conclusion Up-to-date data on stroke incidence, case–fatality, and mortality statistics provide evidence of variation among countries and changing magnitudes of burden among high and low–middle income countries. Reporting of hospital-based stroke units remains limited and should be encouraged.

Objectives To assess the prevalence and determinants of cardiometabolic disease (CMD), and the factors associated with healthcare utilisation, among people with CMD. Methods Using a cross-sectional design, 11,657 participants were recruited from randomly selected villages in 3 regions located in Kerala and Andhra Pradesh from 2014 to 2016. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors independently associated with CMD and healthcare utilisation (public or private). Results Thirty-four per cent (n = 3629) of participants reported having ≥1 CMD, including hypertension (21.6%), diabetes (11.6%), heart disease (5.0%) or chronic kidney disease (CKD) (1.6%). The prevalence of CMD was progressively greater in regions of greater socio-economic position (SEP), ranging from 19.1% to 40.9%. Among those with CMD 41% had sought any medical advice in the last month, with only 19% utilising public health facilities. Among people with CMD, those with health insurance utilised more healthcare (age-gender adjusted odds ratio (AOR) (95% confidence interval (CI)): 1.31 (1.13, 1.51)) as did those who reported accessing private rather than public health services (1.43 (1.23, 1.66)). Discussion The prevalence of CMD is high in these regions of rural India and is positively associated with indices of SEP. The utilisation of outpatient health services, particularly public services, among those with CMD is low.

Background Current information on mortality attributed to stroke among different countries is important for policy development and monitoring prevention strategies. Unfortunately, mortality data reported to the World Health Organization by different countries are inconsistent. Aims and/or hypothesis To update the repository of the most recent country-specific data on mortality from stroke for countries that provide data using a broad code for “cerebrovascular disease.” Methods Data on mortality from stroke were obtained from the World Health Organization mortality database. We searched for countries that provided data, since 1999, on a combined category of “cerebrovascular disease” (code 1609) that incorporated International Classification of Diseases (10th edition) codes I60–I69. Using population denominators provided by the World Health Organization for the same year when available, or alternatively estimates obtained from the United Nations, we calculated crude mortality from “cerebrovascular disease” and mortality adjusted to the World Health Organization world population. We used the most recent year reported to the World Health Organization, as well as comparing changes over time. Results Since 1999, seven countries have provided these mortality data. Among these countries, crude mortality was greatest in the Russian Federation (in 2011), Ukraine (2012), and Belarus (2011) and was greater in women than men in these countries. Crude mortality was positively correlated with the proportion of the population aged ≥65 years but not with time. Age-adjusted mortality was greatest in the Russian Federation and Turkmenistan, and greater in men than women. Over time, mortality declined, with the greatest decline per annum evident in Kazakhstan (8.7%) and the Russian Federation (7.0%). Conclusions Among countries that provided data to the World Health Organization using a broad category of “cerebrovascular disease,” there was a decline in mortality in two of the countries that previously had some of the largest mortality rates for stroke.

Background Evidence of the burden of suboptimal stroke care should expedite quality improvement. We aimed to estimate the health and economic impact of improving acute stroke management to best practice standards using Australia as a case study. Methods Hospital performance in Australia was estimated using data from the National Stroke Audit of Acute Services 2013. The percentage of patients provided evidence-based therapies in all hospitals was compared to that achieved in the aggregate of top performing benchmark hospitals (that included between them, a minimum contribution of 15% of all cases audited). The number of additional patients who would receive therapies if this performance gap was rectified was applied to a standardized economic simulation model that comprised stroke rates and resource-use estimates from the North East Melbourne Stroke Incidence Study applied to the 2013 Australian population. Results In 2013, 41,398 patients were estimated to have been hospitalized with stroke. If acute care was improved to that of Australian benchmarks, there would be an additional 15,317 patients accessing stroke units; 1960 receiving thrombolysis; and 4007 being treated with antihypertensive medication, 3082 with antiplatelet medication, 2179 with anticoagulant medication, and 3514 with lipid-lowering therapy. Approximately 9329 disability-adjusted life years could be avoided. This additional care provided would be cost effective at AUD 3304 per disability adjusted life year avoided. Conclusion The benefits of reducing evidence–practice gaps in Australia are considerable. Further investment in initiatives to optimize hospital care is justified.

Background Up to date data on incidence, mortality, and case-fatality for stroke are important for setting the agenda for prevention and healthcare. Aims and/or hypothesis We aim to update the most current incidence and mortality data on stroke available by country, and to expand the scope to case-fatality and explore how registry data might be complementary. Methods Data were compiled using two approaches: (1) an updated literature review building from our previous review and (2) direct acquisition and analysis of stroke events in the World Health Organization (WHO) mortality database for each country providing these data. To assess new and/or updated data on incidence, we searched multiple databases to identify new original papers and review articles that met ideal criteria for stroke incidence studies and were published between 15 May 2013 and 31 May 2016. For data on case-fatality, we searched between 1980 and 31 May 2016. We further screened reference lists and citation history of papers to identify other studies not obtained from these sources. Mortality codes for ICD-8, ICD-9, and ICD-10 were extracted. Using population denominators provided for each country, we calculated both the crude mortality from stroke and mortality adjusted to the WHO world population. We used only the most recent year reported to the WHO for which both population and mortality data were available. Results Fifty-one countries had data on stroke incidence, some with data over many time periods, and some with data in more than one region. Since our last review, there were new incidence studies from 12 countries, with four meeting pre-determined quality criteria. In these four studies, the incidence of stroke, adjusted to the WHO World standard population, ranged from 76 per 100,000 population per year in Australia (2009–10) up to 119 per 100,000 population per year in New Zealand (2011–12), with the latter being in those aged at least 15 years. Only in Martinique (2011–12) was the incidence of stroke greater in women than men. In countries either lacking or with old data on stroke incidence, eight had national clinical registries of hospital based data. Of the 128 countries reporting mortality data to the WHO, crude mortality was greatest in Kazhakstan (in 2003), Bulgaria, and Greece. Crude mortality and crude incidence of stroke were both positively correlated with the proportion of the population aged ≥ 65 years, but not with time. Data on case-fatality were available in 42 studies in 22 countries, with large variations between regions. Conclusions In this updated review, we describe the current data on stroke incidence, case-fatality and mortality in different countries, and highlight the growing trend for national clinical registries to provide estimates in lieu of community-based incidence studies.

Rationale The effectiveness of clinician-focused interventions to improve stroke care is uncertain. Aims To determine whether an organizational intervention can improve the quality of stroke care over usual care. Sample size estimates To detect an absolute 10% difference in overall performance (composite outcome), a minimum of 21 hospitals and 843 patients per group was determined. Methods and design Before and after controlled design in hospitals in Queensland, Australia. Intervention Externally facilitated program (StrokeLink) using outreach workshops incorporating clinical performance feedback, patient outcomes (survival, quality of life at 90–180 days), local barrier assessments to best practice care, action planning, and ongoing support. Descriptive and multivariable analyses adjusted for patient correlations by hospital (intention-to-treat method). Context Concurrent implementation of financial incentives to increase stroke unit access and use of the Australian Stroke Clinical Registry for performance monitoring. Study outcome(s) Primary outcome: net change in composite score (i.e. total number of process indicators achieved divided by the sum of eligible indicators for each cohort). Secondary outcomes: change in individual indicators, change in composite score comparing hospitals that did or did not develop action plans (per-protocol analysis), impact on 90–180-day health outcomes. Sensitivity analyses: hospital self-rated status, alternate cross-sectional audit data (Stroke Foundation). To account for temporal effects, comparison of Queensland hospital performance relative to other Australian hospitals will also be undertaken. Discussion Twenty-one hospitals were recruited; however, one was unable to participate within the study time frame. Workshops were held between 11 March 2014 and 7 November 2014. Data are ready for analysis.

Background Estimates of strokes in Australia are typically obtained using 1996–1997 age-specific attack rates from the pilot North East Melbourne Stroke Incidence (NEMESIS) Study (eight postcode regions). Declining hospitalizations for stroke indicate the potential to overestimate cases. Aims To illustrate how current methods may potentially overestimate the number of strokes in Australia. Methods Hospital separations data (primary discharge ICD10 codes I60 to I64) and three stroke projection models were compared. Each model had age- and gender-specific attack rates from the NEMESIS study applied to the 2003 population. One model used the 2003 Burden of Disease approach where the ratio of the 1996–1997 NEMESIS study incidence to hospital separation rate in the same year was adjusted by the 2002/2003 hospital separation rate within the same geographic region using relevant ICD-primary diagnosis codes. Hospital separations data were inflated by 12.1% to account for nonhospitalized stroke, while the Burden of Disease model was inflated by 27.6% to account for recurrent stroke events in that year. The third model used 1997–1999 attack rates from the larger 22-postcode NEMESIS study region. Results In 2003, Australian hospitalizations for stroke (I60 to I64) were 33 022, and extrapolation to all stroke (hospitalized and nonhospitalized) was 37 568. Applying NEMESIS study attack rates to the 2003 Australian population, 50 731 strokes were projected. Fewer cases for 2003 were estimated with the Burden of Disease model (28 364) and 22-postcode NEMESIS study rates (41 332). Conclusions Estimating the number of strokes in a country can be highly variable depending on the recency of data, the type of data available, and the methods used.

Background Comprehensive community care has the potential to improve risk factor management of patients with stroke or transient ischaemic attack. Aim The primary aim is to determine the effectiveness of an individualized management program on risk factor management for patients discharged from hospital after stroke. Design Multicentre, cluster-randomized, controlled trial, with clusters by general practice. Participants are randomized to receive intervention or control after a baseline assessment undertaken after discharge from hospital. The general practice they attend is marked as an intervention or control accordingly. All subsequent participants attending those practices are automatically assigned as intervention or control. Baseline and all outcome assessments, including an analysis of risk factors, are undertaken by assessors blinded to patient randomization. Intervention Details Based on the results of blinded assessments, the individualized management program group will receive targeted advice on how to manage their risk factors using a standardized, evidence-based template to communicate ‘ideal’ management with their general practitioner. In addition, patients randomized to the individualized management program group will receive counselling and education about stroke risk factor management by an intervention study nurse. Individualized management programs will be reviewed at three-months, six-months, 12 months, and 18 months after stroke, at which times they will be modified if appropriate. Stroke risk management will be evaluated using changes in the Framingham cardiovascular risk score. Analysis will be on an intention-to-treat basis using analysis of covariance or generalized linear model to adjust for baseline risk score and other relevant confounding factors.

Background Public awareness of the signs of stroke is essential to ensure that those affected by stroke arrive at the hospital in time for lifesaving therapies. It is unclear how well stroke awareness campaigns improve awareness of stroke signs and whether people translate this into action. Methods We evaluated stroke awareness campaigns conducted in England, Australia, and Canada using pre- and post-campaign surveys. We assessed the proportion of people who could name the main signs of stroke, and compared the proportion naming these correctly between locations. We also assessed whether people would call emergency services in the event of a stroke. Proportion responding correctly was compared using chi-square analysis. Results The amount spent on the campaigns was different in each country. The post-campaign survey was conducted among 400 people in Australia, 1921 in England, and 2703 in Canada. Sixty-eight per cent of people in Australia and 57% in Canada could name two or more signs of stroke ( P < 0·001). After the campaign, knowledge of each of the elements of the campaign (face, arm, speech, time) was significantly greater in England than in Australia ( P < 0·001 for each item). A high proportion of participants reported that they would call emergency services in the event of a stroke (97% in England, 90% in Australia, and 67% in Canada). Conclusion Knowledge of stroke signs and the action to be taken can be improved with awareness campaigns. The effectiveness of these campaigns may be enhanced by spend on media, media mix, and key messages. It is critical to ensure that campaigns provide the clear and bold message that prompt action is an essential ingredient to reduce death and disability following stroke.

Background Disease registries assist with clinical practice improvement. The Australian Stroke Clinical Registry aims to provide national, prospective, systematic data on processes and outcomes for stroke. We describe the methods of establishment and initial experience of operation. Methods Australian Stroke Clinical Registry conforms to new national operating principles and technical standards for clinical quality registers. Features include: online data capture from acute public and private hospital sites; opt-out consent; expert consensus agreed core minimum dataset with standard definitions; outcomes assessed at 3 months post-stroke; formal governance oversight; and formative evaluations for improvements. Results Qualitative feedback from sites indicates that the web-tool is simple to use and the user manuals, data dictionary, and training are appropriate. However, sites desire automated data-entry methods for routine demography variables and the opt-out consent protocol has sometimes been problematic. Data from 204 patients (median age 71 years, 54% males, 60% Australian) were collected from four pilot hospitals from June to October 2009 (mean, 50 cases per month) including ischaemic stroke (in 72%), intracerebral haemorrhage (16%), transient ischaemic attack (9%), and undetermined (3%), with only one case opting out. Conclusion Australian Stroke Clinical Registry has been well established, but further refinements and broad roll-out are required before realising its potential of improving patient care through clinician feedback and allowance of local, national, and international comparative data.

Background Specific information about the nature of recurrent events that occur after each subtype of index stroke may be useful for refining preventive therapies. We aimed to determine whether stroke recurrence rates, the pattern of subtype recurrence, and prescription of secondary prevention agents differed according to initial stroke subtype. Methods Multiple overlapping sources were used to recruit all first-ever stroke patients from a geographically defined region of Melbourne, Australia over a 3-year period from 1996 to 1999. Potential stroke recurrences (fatal and nonfatal) occurring within 2 years of the initial event were identified following patient interview and follow up of death records. Subjects were classified into the different Oxfordshire groups and the type of first-ever stroke was compared with recurrent stroke events. Results One thousand, three hundred and sixteen first-ever strokes were registered during the 3-year period (mean age 74·4 years). A total of 103 first recurrent stroke events (fatal and nonfatal) occurred among those with a first-ever ischemic stroke or intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) during the 2-year follow-up period. The recurrent stroke subtype was different to the index stroke subtype in most (78%) patients. People with partial anterior circulation infarct had the greatest proportion of recurrences (13%), with a third of these being the more severe total anterior circulation infarct subgroup. The relative risk of ICH after an index lacunar infarct (LACI) compared with an index non-LACI was 4·06 (95% CI 1·10–14·97, P=0·038). Prescription of secondary prevention agents was greater at 2 years after stroke than at hospital discharge, and was similar between ischemic stroke subtypes. Conclusion Approximately 9% of people with first-ever stroke suffered a recurrent event, despite many being prescribed secondary prevention agents. This has implications for the uptake of current preventive strategies and the development of new strategies. The possibility that ICH is greater among index LACI cases needs to be confirmed.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples comprise about 2·4% of the Australian population. There is little information about stroke among these groups of people. Most information comes from national mortality and hospital morbidity data, and population-based surveys of risk factors. Hospitalisations for stroke among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are 1·2-fold that of non-Indigenous males and 1·9-fold that of non-Indigenous females. Similarly, deaths from stroke are greater among Indigenous Australians, being approximately double that of non-Indigenous Australians. The disparity in stroke deaths is greatest among younger individuals. Differences in hospitalisations and mortality from stroke can be attributed to both a greater prevalence of modifiable risk factors for stroke among the Indigenous population and poorer access to acute care services. Access to appropriate primary health care is also problematic for many Indigenous Australians, mainly because of their distance from health services and lack of available transport. Stroke and its risk factors are common among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Adopting national and state strategy actions, such as providing a comprehensive primary health care program and increased training and support for health care providers, is urgently needed to reduce the incidence of stroke in these groups. However, continued efforts across the health care sector are required to ensure stroke reduction in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The incidence of stroke in low- to middle-income countries now exceeds that in high-income countries. These low- to middle-income countries also have greater case fatality and a younger age of stroke onset, factors that contribute to a high stroke burden. Macroeconomic indicators of socioeconomic status, such as health expenditure, appear to be inversely associated with stroke incidence. However, there are often large socioeconomic gradients between regions such as between urban and rural regions. This article emphasizes that macroeconomic indicators are likely to mask regional disparities in stroke incidence. Public health messages and prevention strategies must therefore be targeted regionally rather than nationwide. Without a comprehensive and multifaceted approach to prevention, the epidemic of stroke will continue.