Go Red for Women Sex Differences in Incidence, Mortality, and Survival in Individuals With Stroke in Scotland, 1986 to 2005

case-fatality. Results—Women had a lower incidence of first hospitalization than men and size of effect varied with age (55 to 64 years, RR0.65, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.66; 85 years, RR0.94, 95% CI 0.91 to 0.96). Women aged 55 to 84 years had lower mortality than men and again size of effect varied with age (65 to 74 years, RR0.79, 95% CI 0.76 to 0.81); 75 to 84 years, RR0.94, 95% CI 0.92 to 0.95). Conversely, women aged 85 years had 15% higher stroke mortality than men (RR1.15, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.18). Adjusted risk of death within 30 days was significantly higher in women than men, and this difference increased over the 20-year period in all age groups (adjusted OR in 55 to 64 year olds 1.23, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.33 in 1986 and 1.51, 95% CI 1.39 to 1.63 in 2005). Conclusions—We observed lower rates of incidence and mortality in younger women than men. However, higher numbers of older women in the population mean that the absolute burden of stroke is greater in women. Short-term case-fatality is greater in women of all ages and, worryingly, these differences have increased from 1986 to 2005. (Stroke. 2009;40:1038-1043.)