Incidence and Mortality of Spontaneous Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Hong Kong from 2002 to 2010: A Hong Kong Hospital Authority Clinical Management System Database Analysis

BackgroundNinety-five percent of the Hong Kong population is Chinese, and no previous epidemiological study has focused on spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in Hong Kong. These data would have significant public health implications and can guide future resource allocations and service development in Hong Kong. The aim of this study was to investigate the local incidences of spontaneous SAH and 1-year mortality rates in Hong Kong, with the respective time trends in recent years.MethodsData from the Clinical Management System database of the Hong Kong Hospital Authority were used to examine the incidence of SAH and 1-year mortality rates among the Hong Kong population for the 2002–2010 period. Age-standardized incidence rates were calculated by the direct method using the standard population given in World Health Organization World Standard Population 2000–2025.ResultsCrude SAH incidences increased from 5.5 per 100,000 person-years in 2002 to 7.5 in 2010. Standardized SAH incidences increased from 4.1 per 100,000 person-years in 2002 to 5.6 in 2010. Crude 1-year mortality rates decreased from 43% in 2002 to 19% in 2010, and the standardized 1-year mortality rate decreased from 38% in 2002 to 19% in 2010.ConclusionThe Hong Kong SAH incidence was 7.5 per 100,000 person-years in 2010, and an increasing trend over time was noted. The 1-year mortality rates decreased from 43% in 2002 to 19% in 2010, in accordance with the worldwide trend.