An epidemiological perspective on stroke in rural croatia: insights from Ogulin

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to determine the basic epidemiological characteristics of patients with stroke who were hospitalised at the General Hospital and the Hospital for Homeland War Veterans in Ogulin over a ten-year period.
Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis of
data from the hospital information system was conducted, encompassing all patients diagnosed with stroke at Ogulin General Hospital between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2023.
Results: A total of 1521 patients were diagnosed with
a stroke. Of these, 81.7% were diagnosed with an ischaemic stroke. No statistically significant difference was found in the frequency of strokes between men and
women (p = 0.233). The highest proportion of patients,
39.7%, was in the 70- to 80-year age group. Most strokes
were recorded in January (147), while the fewest  occurred in April (107). A total of 13.7% of patients diagnosed with a stroke were transferred to another hospital facility.
Discussion: The study highlights stroke as a significant
problem in the rural region of Ogulin, primarily due to
limited resources. Early interventions, improved infrastructure, and standardised protocols are needed to reduce mortality and disability.