Stroke incidence and case fatality: a 9-year prospective population-based study in an elderly population of Bagheria, Italy.

Background: The incidence of stroke in high-income countries has been on the decline; however, few epidemiological surveys have been conducted in recent years to specifically estimate the incidence along with outcome of stroke, in Italy. This study aimed to examine the incidence and case fatality rates of stroke in an elderly Italian population.

Methods: A cohort of 2200 people > 65 years was randomly stratified from the total elderly population of Bagheria, Italy.