AIM To determine the load and characteristics of cerebrovascular diseases (CVD) admitted in the hospital network throughout the Valencian Region.

PATIENTS AND METHODS The paper reports on an analysis of the information included in the basic minimum data set (BMDS) from the 26 hospitals run by the Valencian Regional Ministry of Health in the year 2001. Patients that were selected were those whose main diagnosis was codes C.430 to C.437, according to the International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision, clinical modification (ICD-9-CM).

RESULTS A total of 10,558 patients with CVD were discharged, which accounts for 2.6% of admissions and 3% of hospital stays. The mean age of the series was 71.03 years –standard deviation (SD): 9– and 94.8% were admitted as emergencies. By diagnoses, 3% (319) were subarachnoid haemorrhages (SAH; C.430); 13.4% (1,412) were cerebral haemorrhages (ICH; C.431); 18.5% (1,956) were transient ischemic attacks (TIA; C.435); 49.5% (5,225) were cases of cerebral infarction (CI; C.434 and C.436); and 15.6% involved other vascular processes (C.433 and C.437). Mortality rates were 30.1% in SAH; 33.9% in ICH; 11.7% in CI; and 2.7% in TIA. Mean number of days in hospital: SAH 17.4 (SD: 15); ICH 13.1 (SD: 11.8); CI 9.9 (SD: 6.4) and in cases of TIA 7.2 (SD: 4). The percentages of survivors who were discharged home were 78.9 % in SAH, 83.2% in ICH and 91.9% in the case of CI. In all, 51.3% (5,413 patients) were discharged by neurological units. CONCLUSION. In spite of possible insufficiencies analysed in this work, the use of the BMDS provides valuable epidemiological information that is very useful for health care management.

Objetivo Conocer el peso y las características de las enfermedades cerebrovasculares (ECVA) ingresadas en la red hospitalaria de la Comunidad Valenciana.

Pacientes y métodos Se analiza la información recogida en el conjunto mínimo básico de datos (CMBD) de los 26 hospitales de la Conselleria de Sanitat de la Comunidad Valenciana del año 2001. Se seleccionan los pacientes con diagnóstico principal según la Clasificación Internacional de Enfermedades, 9.ª revisión, modificación clínica (CIE-9-MC), códigos C.430 a C.437.

Resultados Fueron dados de alta 10.558 pacientes con ECVA, que representan el 2,6% de ingresos y el 3% de estancias hospitalarias. La edad media de la serie es de 71,03 años –desviación estándar (DE): 9– e ingresan por urgencias el 94,8%. Por diagnósticos, el 3% (319) son hemorragias subaracnoideas (HSA; C.430); el 13,4% (1.412) hemorragias cerebrales (HIC; C.431); el 18,5% (1.956) ataques isquémicos transitorios (AIT; C.435); el 49,5% (5.225) infarto cerebral (IC; C.434 y C.436); y el 15,6% (C.433 y C.437), otros procesos vasculares. La mortalidad es del 30,1% en HSA; 33,9% en HIC; 11,7% en IC; y 2,7% en AIT. Estancia media en días: HSA 17,4 (DE: 15); HIC 13,1 (DE: 11,8); IC 9,9 (DE: 6,4) y AIT 7,2 (DE: 4). El destino tras el alta de los supervivientes a domicilio es del 78,9 % en HSA, 83,2% en HIC y 91,9% en IC. Fueron dados de alta por unidades de neurología el 51,3% (5.413 pacientes).

Conclusión Pese a posibles insuficiencias analizadas en el presente trabajo, la utilización del CMBD aporta información epidemiológica valiosa y útil para la gestión sanitaria.