To descriptively compare stroke characteristics, risk factors, and outcomes in the Saudi National Guard community across two historical periods.
Key Findings:
Crude annual stroke incidence decreased from 43.8 to 34.36 per 100,000.
10-year period prevalence increased from 186 to 343.6 per 100,000.
The Modern Era cohort had a lower mean age (59.8 years) compared to the historical cohort (63 years).
Increased risk factors: hypertension (72.1% vs. 56.0%), diabetes mellitus (64.1% vs. 42.0%), smoking (16.9% vs. 6.0%).
Intracerebral hemorrhage declined from 21.4% to 14.6%.
All-cause mortality fell from 12.2% to 4.2%.
56.8% of patients in the Modern Era achieved mRS 0–2 at 3 months.
Interpretation:
Descriptive observations align with global trends of declining stroke mortality and increasing metabolic risk factors, though comparisons must be interpreted cautiously due to methodological differences.
Limitations:
Differences in diagnostic technology and data sources between periods.
Variations in population composition.
Absence of age-sex standardized rates.
Conclusion:
The rising metabolic risk factor burden highlights the need for targeted primary prevention strategies in the community.
