Comparison Between First-Ever Ischemic Stroke in Young Adults in 1988–1997 and 2008–2017

AIM: To compare incidence of first-ever acute cerebral infarction, etiology and traditional risk factors in young adults 15–49 years in 1988–1997 and 2008–2017 in Hordaland County, Norway. METHODS: Case-finding of young adults with acute cerebral infarction in 1988–1997 was done retrospectively by computer research from hospital registries in Hordaland County. Young adults with acute cerebral infarction living in the Bergen region in 2008–2017 were prospectively included in a database at Haukeland University Hospital. Traditional risk factors, etiology and modified Rankin scale score on discharge were registered. RESULTS: Crude average incidence of acute cerebral infarction was 11.4 per 100.000 per year in 1988–1997 and 13.2 per 100.000 per year in 2008–2017 (P=0.04). The prevalence of prior myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, and dyslipidemia were lower in the 2008–2017 cohort (all P<0.05). Atherosclerosis was less common in the 2008–2017 cohort (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The observed incidence of acute cerebral infarction in young adults increased from 1988–1997 to 2008–2017 in Hordaland County. Atherosclerosis was less common in the 2008–2017 cohort.