Trends of Mortality and Years of Life Lost Due to Stroke Among Older Adults in China and Its Provinces, 2005-2020.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate trends in stroke-related mortality and years of life lost (YLL) among older adults in China during 2005-2020.

METHODS

Leveraging data from National Mortality Surveillance System, we quantified counts and age-standardized rates for mortality and YLL attributable to stroke and its subtypes among adults aged 65 years and older in China and its provinces from 2005 to 2020.

RESULTS

During 2005-2020, age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) of stroke among older adults in China decreased from 1,327.30 to 1,000.69 per 100,000, accompanied by a 26.58% reduction in YLL rate. Specifically, ASMRs decreased by 48.08% for intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and 7.57% for subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), whereas that for ischemic stroke (IS) increased by 1.24%. In 2020, ASMRs for IS, ICH, and SAH were 610.52, 357.86, and 32.32 per 100,000, respectively, with IS exhibiting the highest rate. Notably, IS mortality increased among men aged 75-79 years (1.95%), men aged 80+ years (17.79%), and women aged 80+ years (5.02%). In 2020, the highest ASMR of stroke was observed in Tibet, Anhui, and Shaanxi.

DISCUSSION: The substantial burden of IS persists among older adults in China. Increased IS mortality among men aged 75+ years and women aged 80+ years warrants particular attention.