Twenty years trends in mortality rates from stroke in Klaipeda

BACKGROUND: During the past decades, mortality from stroke decreased in many western European countries; however, changes concerning long‐term stroke mortality in eastern European countries are less evident. OBJECTIVE: To assess age‐ and gender‐specific trends in stroke mortality in Klaipeda (Lithuania) from 1994 to 2013. DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiological study. SETTING/SUBJECTS: Permanent population of Klaipeda. METHODS: Data on 2509 permanent residents of Klaipeda aged 35–79 years who died from stroke between 1994 and 2013 were gathered. Directly, age‐standardized (European population) stroke mortality rates were analyzed using joinpoint regression separately for specific age groups (35–64, 65–79, and 35–79 years) and by gender. Annual percentage change (APC) and 95% CIs were presented. RESULTS: Stroke mortality in the 35‐ to 79‐year‐old age group peaked in 1994–1997, it then decreased by −9.9% (95% CI: −18.7, −0.2) yearly up until 2001 and leveled off by −0.2% (−5.1, 4.9) between 2001 and 2013. Among men aged 35–64 years, mortality decreased substantially by 12.8% (−21.5, −3.3) per year from 1994 to 2001 and turned positive by 6.3% (0.8, 12.1) between 2000 and 2013. Among women aged 35–64 years, mortality decreased significantly by 15.5% (−28.1, −0.7) from 1994 to 2000. There was evidence of recent plateauing of trends for 35‐ to 64‐year‐old women between 2000 and 2013. In the 65‐ to 79‐year‐old age group, mortality decreased from 1994 onward yearly by −5.5% (−7.9, −3.0) in women and by −3.3% (−5.6, −0.9) in men. CONCLUSIONS: Joinpoint regression revealed steadily decreasing trend in stroke mortality between 1994 and 2001. The decline in death rates flattened out in the recent decade. Mortality rates varied among age groups and were more pronounced in adults aged 35–64 years. It is essential to monitor and manage stroke risk factors, especially among middle‐aged population.