Abstract 2641: Comparative Incidence, Case-Fatality and Survival Rates of Stroke and Acute Myocardial Infarction. The Dijon Vascular (DIVA) Project
Acute coronary and cerebrovascular events share common underlying arterial pathology. Although some studies have evaluated the epidemiology of these two diseases, many of them were limited by being conducted on selected populations. The aim of the Dijon Vascular Project was to evaluate the epidemiology of both stroke and acute myocardial infarction from a large population-based study and over a long period. We prospectively assessed all first-ever cases of stroke and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in a population of 151,846 in the city of Dijon, France, from 2001 to 2006. The 30-day case fatality rates were assessed in both groups. We recorded 1660 events, including 1020 (61.4 %) strokes and 640 AMI (38.6 %). The crude incidence of stroke was 112 / 100,000 / year while that of AMI was 70.2 / 100 000 / year. Incidence rates of the two diseases rose steeply with age. In women, the incidence of stroke was higher than that of AMI, in particular at 65 years and older. In men, the incidence of stroke was lower than that of AMI below 55 years, was similar between 55 and 65 years and higher above 65 years. Case-fatality rates at 30 days were similar for stroke and AMI. Our findings confirm that the annual incidence of stroke is higher than that of AMI except in young men. These data implications for prevention strategies, acute care, clinical trial design for future therapies and health-care organizations.