University of Cincinnati Study Finds Young Adult Stroke Rate Jumped to 62 per 100,000
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Sep 24
University of Cincinnati Study Finds Young Adult Stroke Rate Jumped to 62 per 100,000
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 24
Summary
2,076 first-ever strokes tracked from 1993-94 to 2020 showed incidence among adults 20-54 in Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky rising from about 34 to 62 per 100,000 a year.
Ischemic strokes drove most of the increase, alongside higher rates of hypertension, diabetes, atrial fibrillation and documented substance use among younger patients.
40.2% of younger stroke patients had documented substance use by the end of the study period, up from 4.6%, though researchers said better disclosure and records may partly explain that rise.
Older adults moved in the opposite direction, with stroke incidence falling from about 619 to 453 per 100,000, while 30-day mortality in younger adults declined to 9.4% from 11.7%.
Neurology published the study on Sept. 23, but researchers said its five-county scope and changing MRI use and documentation limit conclusions about what is causing the trend.