Trends in medical care and survival from stroke.
Using data from two national surveys in the United States, the National Hospital Discharge Survey and the National Health Interview Survey, we examined whether the incidence of stroke (based on hospitalization rates), the prevalence of stroke, and disability due to stroke had changed. Discharge rates remained virtually constant from 1970 through 1990. At the same time, the proportion of patients who were treated with surgery or other diagnostic procedures increased from 15 to 57% and the proportion who were discharged dead decreased from 20 to 8%. The data suggest that the incidence has not decreased. Hospitalization rates for stroke have changed very little over the past 20 years. Further, neither the prevalence nor the burden of stroke appear to have increased.