COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE EPIDEMIOLOGICAL BURDEN OF STROKE IN EASTERN, CENTRAL AND WESTERN EUROPE BASED ON GLOBAL BURDEN OF DISEASE STUDY DATA
Author(s)
Bettina Kovács, BSc, MSc1, Luca F. Kajos, BSc, MSc, PhD2, Dalma Pónusz-Kovács, MSc1, László Szapáry, MD, Ph.D., Habil3, Eszter Jozifek, MSc3, Imre Boncz, MSc, PhD, MD2;
1University of Pécs, Doctoral School of Health Sciences, Pécs, Hungary, 2University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute for Health Insurance, Pécs, Hungary, 3University of Pécs, Clinical Centre, Department of Neurology, Pécs, Hungary
1University of Pécs, Doctoral School of Health Sciences, Pécs, Hungary, 2University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute for Health Insurance, Pécs, Hungary, 3University of Pécs, Clinical Centre, Department of Neurology, Pécs, Hungary
OBJECTIVES: Stroke is a leading cause of adult disability worldwide, and estimates suggest that one in four adults will experience a stroke during their lifetime. We compared the epidemiological burden of stroke across Eastern, Central, and Western Europe using Global Burden of Disease (GBD) data.
METHODS: We used the most recent results for 2023 from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation Global Burden of Disease Study database. For Eastern Europe (EE), Central Europe (CE), and Western Europe (WE), we compared prevalence, incidence, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), years lived with disability (YLDs), and mortality data, stratified by sex and age.
RESULTS: In 2023, stroke prevalence per 100,000 population was 1,755.14 in Eastern, 1,650.75 in Central, and 1,699.8 in Western Europe, corresponding to 1.82%, 1.71%, and 1.78% of total prevalence in the respective regions. Age-standardized prevalence showed a pronounced east-west gradient: EE: 1,072.72 (1.15%), CE: 928.50 (0.99%), and WE: 874.38 (0.95%). Incidence followed the same pattern (EE: 282.75; CE: 247.53; WE: 170.41). DALYs were also highest in Eastern (3,596.21; 8.08% of the region’s total DALY burden), followed by Central (2,789.11; 7.51%) and Western (1,246.82; 3.96%). The proportion of YLDs within total YLD burden was 2.15% in the East, 2.08% in Central, and 1.65% in the West. Stroke-attributable mortality exceeded 10% in Eastern and Central Europe but was 7.35% in Western. Across all regions, rates were higher in men, increased with age, and peaked at 65-69 years in both sexes.
CONCLUSIONS: Based on GBD 2023 data, there is a marked east-west difference in the burden of stroke in Europe: not only are there more new cases in Eastern and Central Europe, but the public health burden and stroke-related mortality rates are also more unfavorable. Our findings highlight the need for region-specific public health strategies.
METHODS: We used the most recent results for 2023 from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation Global Burden of Disease Study database. For Eastern Europe (EE), Central Europe (CE), and Western Europe (WE), we compared prevalence, incidence, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), years lived with disability (YLDs), and mortality data, stratified by sex and age.
RESULTS: In 2023, stroke prevalence per 100,000 population was 1,755.14 in Eastern, 1,650.75 in Central, and 1,699.8 in Western Europe, corresponding to 1.82%, 1.71%, and 1.78% of total prevalence in the respective regions. Age-standardized prevalence showed a pronounced east-west gradient: EE: 1,072.72 (1.15%), CE: 928.50 (0.99%), and WE: 874.38 (0.95%). Incidence followed the same pattern (EE: 282.75; CE: 247.53; WE: 170.41). DALYs were also highest in Eastern (3,596.21; 8.08% of the region’s total DALY burden), followed by Central (2,789.11; 7.51%) and Western (1,246.82; 3.96%). The proportion of YLDs within total YLD burden was 2.15% in the East, 2.08% in Central, and 1.65% in the West. Stroke-attributable mortality exceeded 10% in Eastern and Central Europe but was 7.35% in Western. Across all regions, rates were higher in men, increased with age, and peaked at 65-69 years in both sexes.
CONCLUSIONS: Based on GBD 2023 data, there is a marked east-west difference in the burden of stroke in Europe: not only are there more new cases in Eastern and Central Europe, but the public health burden and stroke-related mortality rates are also more unfavorable. Our findings highlight the need for region-specific public health strategies.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-05, ISPOR 2026, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue S6
Code
EPH47
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health
Topic Subcategory
Public Health
Disease
SDC: Cardiovascular Disorders (including MI, Stroke, Circulatory)