Spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhages in Vestfold county.

BACKGROUND: Limited information is available on the incidence and progress of spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhages in Norway. The objective of this article is to describe the frequency of and the prognosis for such haemorrhages in a geographically well-defined population.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: All patients admitted to Vestfold Hospital with a first-time spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage during the period from 1 September 2010 to 31 May 2014 were included. Age, gender, risk factors, haemorrhaged volume, treatment and mortality were registered. For survivors, the use of nursing and rehabilitation resources was identified, as were neurological function and the ability to cope with daily activities after three months.

RESULTS: A total of 182 patients (102 men) were included. The incidence of first-time intracerebral haemorrhages amounted to 20.5/100 000/year. Altogether 25.8 % used anticoagulants prior to the haemorrhage, and 38.5 % used a platelet inhibitor. After two days 23.0 % had died, while the 30-day mortality amounted to 39.6 %. Warfarin use was associated with a significantly increased 90-day mortality when compared to no anticoagulation treatment (p = 0.002). Of those patients who were alive 90 days after their intracerebral haemorrhage, 50.0 % functioned very well according to their Barthel score, and 67.6 % had returned to their own homes.

INTERPRETATION: First-time spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage is a serious event with high mortality.