Epidemiology of stroke in France.

Background: It has been nearly 10years since the first national stroke plan in France.

Aims: To examine the epidemiology of strokes, how they are managed and patient outcomes.

Methods: Adults hospitalized for stroke in 2022 were identified in the national database. Stroke prevalence at 1 January 2023 was defined as the number of people alive at that date with a history of hospitalization for stroke or a chronic long-term disease status due to stroke (2012-2022). Patients were monitored up for up to 1year after hospitalization for a stroke.

Results: In 2022, 122,422 adults were hospitalized due to stroke, and there were an estimated 1,086,795 cases. Important geographical and socioeconomic disparities were observed. Admission to a stroke intensive care unit was found in 46.8% of patients, with significant variations by department of residence, age and gender. Only 7.2% of ischaemic strokes resulted in mechanical thrombectomy. Among survivors at 6months, admission to a rehabilitation unit was found for 34.3% for patients with ischaemic strokes and 41.7% of those with haemorrhagic strokes, while 28.8% and 18.8%, respectively, had a consultation with a neurologist, and 19.5% and 10.9% were seen by a cardiologist within 6months. Mortality rates after 1year were 20.8% and 37.9% among patients hospitalized due to ischaemic and haemorrhagic strokes, respectively.

Conclusion: The considerable numbers and rates of stroke - and disparities by age, sex and area - highlight the need for more effective stroke prevention, regular information campaigns on the symptoms of stroke and improved availability and accessibility of stroke units.