Temporal Variations of Stroke Occurence

Stroke is one of leading causes of death worldwide. Different frequency of stroke occurence is observed in days of the week and months in the year, and incidence of stroke has irregular time pattern. We analyzed 516 patients who had acute stroke and were treated in Clinic of Neurology, Clinical Center Kragujevac from January 1, 2013 to January 1, 2014, mean age 72,11±11,52. Statistical analysis is conducted out using the SPSS software version 20.0. We used descriptive statistic, student T-test, chi-square or Fisher exact test.

Friday is day we found the most IS and all stroke types occurences, and Wednesday is day we found the most IS in men. We found the most strokes in women younger than 65 years on Wednesday, but in women older than 65 years on Friday. Monday is day with the most admissions to hospital for patients with IS, and we observed that there is average delay in the refering to the doctor for 1.80±1.44 days. Friday is the day with the most ICH symptom beginings and the most admissions to the hospital, and Saturday is the day with the least symptom beginings and admissions to the hospital in the case of IS and ICH. The most IS occured in winter (in Decembar), and the least in summer (in August). The most ICH occured in May, and the least in July and October.

We confirmed that there is a significant weekly variability in the IS symptom onset day.