Estimation of the Risk of Stroke in Black Populations in Barbados and South London

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Background and Purpose— The incidence of stroke in black populations is a public health issue, but how risk varies between black communities is unclear. Methods— Population-based registers in South London (SLSR) and Barbados (Barbados Register of Strokes [BROS]). Stroke incidence estimated by age group, gender and stroke subtype from January 1995 to December 2002 (SLSR), and October 2001 to September 2003 (BROS). Incidence rate ratios [IRR] estimated adjusting for age and sex. Results— Two hundred and seventy-one cases registered in SLSR and 628 cases in BROS. Average age of stroke was 66.1 years (SD 13.7) in SLSR and 71.5 years (SD 14.9) in BROS ( P Conclusions— The risk of stroke in black Caribbeans is higher in South London than Barbados, and particularly so for specific stroke subtypes. The risk in Barbados approaches that in the white population in South London and strokes occur at an older age. Whether environmental factors mediate these differences in migrant populations requires further study.