6. Different strokes for different folks: The Toronto Chinese-Canadian stroke epidemiology study – 1990–2010

IntroductionIt has been recognized in the past few decades that different ethnic groups living in Canada may have different stroke patterns and epidemiology.MethodsTwo retrospective case-controlled studies were carried out between 1990 and 2000 to study the stroke characteristics and epidemiology of Chinese-Canadians living in Toronto. Statistical analysis was carried out by the Institute of Clinical Evaluative Sciences. A further smaller scale study was also carried out in the late 2000 to look at the relationship between stroke and diabetes mellitus amongst this population.ResultsChinese-Canadians were found to have 1/6 the prevalence of extracranial vascular stenosis. They have a higher frequency of intracranial vascular disease which may be due to the higher frequency of hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Higher incidence of intracranial hemorrhage was found compared to Caucasian controls which may be due to the lack of awareness and optimal treatment of their hypertension.Details of the results of these studies including statistical and clinical data will be presented.ConclusionsThis is the first long term retrospective study of the stroke patterns and epidemiology for Chinese-Canadians residing in Toronto. Further prospective population-based study will be essential to study the important interactions between genetics and environment in the pathogenesis of different strokes for different folks.