Background and purpose: A door-to-door survey was carried out in Bizovac area, Osijek-Baranya County in east Croatia. A cluster sample of 1899 inhabitants were screened to determine the prevalence of acute cerebrovascular disease (CVD): transient ischemic attacks (TIA) and stroke in this population.
Methods: We used a modified version of the World Health Organization screening instrument. A door-to-door survey of stroke was conducted in five Osijek suburbs, east Croatia. The data obtained were compared with data in personal records of the study subjects.
Results: On March 31, 2005, the prevalence of acute CVD was 3370/100.000 (stroke 1948/100,000 and TIA 1422/100,000), of CVD in males 3047/100,000 (stroke 1959/100,000 and TIA 1088/100,000); of CVD in females 3673/100,000 (stroke 1939/100,000 and TIA 1735/100,000); and the prevalence of acute CVD progressively increased with age: in 45-54 age group 1290/00,000 (stroke 942/100,000, TIA 348/100,000); in 55-64 age group 7895/100,000 (stroke 5623/100,000, TIA 2272/100,000); in 65-74 age group 11386/100,000 (stroke 7393/100,000, TIA 3993/100,000); and in 75-84 age group 14035/100,000 (stroke 10001/100,000, TIA 4034/100,000) as the highest figure.
Conclusion: The study revealed a very high prevalence of acute CVD in the study area and confirmed CVD as one of the leading medical and public health issues in Bizovac area, Osijek-Baranya County, east Croatia.