ArticleInternational journal of stroke : official journal of the International Stroke Society2021
The state of stroke services across the globe: Report of World Stroke Organization-World Health Organization surveys.
Article in International journal of stroke : official journal of the International Stroke Society, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 119 papers, 7 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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Who cites it
119 citing papers in PubMed, 7 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Neurophobia in low- and middle- income countries (LMICs): burden and implications for neurology care and research - a systematic review.BMC medical education · 2026Pooled it
- A physiotherapy protocol* for stroke patients in acute hospital settings: expert consensus from the Brazilian early stroke rehabilitation task force.Arquivos de neuro-psiquiatria · 2025Guideline
- Mendelian randomization studies of lifestyle-related risk factors for stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Frontiers in endocrinology · 2024Pooled it
- Stroke in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the incidence and case-fatality rates.International journal of stroke : official journal of the International Stroke Society · 2023Pooled it
- Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for post-stroke sleep disorders: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology · 2022Pooled it
- Younger age of stroke in low-middle income countries is related to healthcare access and quality.Annals of clinical and translational neurology · 2022Pooled it
- The Role of Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) in International Stroke Teams: A Systematic Review.International journal of language & communication disordersPooled it
- Comparison of primary and secondary stroke outcomes between government and private healthcare institutions: insights from the SPRINT India trial.Frontiers in stroke · 2026Trial
- An investigation of the level of stigma and the factors influencing it in the rehabilitation of young and middle-aged stroke patients-a cross-sectional study.BMC neurology · 2023Trial
- Burden of stroke and its subtypes in young adults in Asia, 1990-2021: risk factors and future predictions.Stroke and vascular neurology · 2026Review
- Colchicine in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials.Journal of clinical medicine · 2026Review
- Survey on stroke rehabilitation in Europe (SUSTAIN-EU) to evaluate European stroke rehabilitation services.Journal of rehabilitation medicine · 2026Article
- Learning Curve of Mechanical Thrombectomy: Procedural Efficiency and Clinical Outcomes in Early Operator Experience.Clinical neuroradiology · 2026Article
- A Global Health Perspective on the 2026 AHA/ASA Stroke Guidelines: Lessons from the Indian Health System.Cerebrovascular diseases (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Review
- Predictors of functional outcome of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage in elderly patients from a comprehensive stroke care unit, prospective cohort hospital based study.BMC neurology · 2026Article
- Stroke in Sierra Leone: Insights From a Retrospective Review to Support the Development of a Neurosurgical Department in the Country.Neurosurgery practice · 2026Article
- Chronic stroke rehabilitation interventions in primary healthcare settings: a scoping review.BMJ open · 2026Article
- Exercise intervention improves the modified Barthel index, Berg balance scale, and Fugl-Meyer assessment of upper limb motor function in stroke patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC sports science, medicine & rehabilitation · 2026Article
- Prevention in stroke - Current state, present gaps and probable next steps.Neurological research and practice · 2026Review
- Recent research on rehabilitation interventions for post-stroke gait and balance in low- and middle-income countries: a scoping review.BMC health services research · 2026Article
59 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.
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Authors and funding
18 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundImproving stroke services is critical for reducing the global stroke burden. The World Stroke Organization-World Health Organization-
methodsUsing a validated World Stroke Organization comprehensive questionnaire, we collected and compared data on stroke services along four pillars of the stroke quadrangle (surveillance, prevention, acute stroke, and rehabilitation) in 84 countries across World Health Organization regions and economic strata. The World Health Organization also conducted a survey of non-communicable diseases in 194 countries in 2019.
resultsFewer surveillance activities (including presence of registries, presence of recent risk factors surveys, and participation in research) were reported in low-income countries than high-income countries. The overall global score for prevention was 40.2%. Stroke units were present in 91% of high-income countries in contrast to 18% of low-income countries (p < 0.001). Acute stroke treatments were offered in ∼ 60% of high-income countries compared to 26% of low-income countries (p = 0.009). Compared to high-income countries, LMICs provided less rehabilitation services including in-patient rehabilitation, home assessment, community rehabilitation, education, early hospital discharge program, and presence of rehabilitation protocol.
conclusionsThere is an urgent need to improve access to stroke units and services globally especially in LMICs. Countries with less stroke services can adapt strategies from those with better services. This could include establishment of a framework for regular monitoring of stroke burden and services, implementation of integrated prevention activities and essential acute stroke care services, and provision of interdisciplinary care for stroke rehabilitation.
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