Abstract Background and aims Stroke remains a leading cause of death and long-term neurological disability worldwide. Despite advances in acute stroke care in several regions, the global burden of stroke remains substantial and heterogeneous. Contemporary epidemiological evidence is required to determine whether improvements in stroke management have translated into reductions in population-level incidence, mortality, and disability. This study aimed to describe decade-long trends in stroke burden using Global Burden of Disease data from 2013 to 2023. Methods We performed a descriptive epidemiological analysis using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013-2023. Age-standardized rates of stroke incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) per 100,000 population were analyzed to assess temporal trends over the past decade. Results Between 2013 and 2023, the global burden of stroke remained substantial. Age-standardized incidence and prevalence rates per 100,000 population persisted at high levels, with marked heterogeneity across populations. While stroke mortality rates per 100,000 population stabilized or declined in several regions, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) remained disproportionately high, indicating a sustained burden among stroke survivors. Importantly, reductions in mortality were not accompanied by comparable decreases in prevalence or DALYs, suggesting improved survival with persistent long-term functional impairment. This pattern reflects an epidemiological transition from stroke as a fatal condition to a chronic disabling disease. Conclusions Despite improved stroke survival, the global burden of stroke remains high due to persistent incidence, prevalence, and disability. The discordance between declining mortality and sustained disability underscores the need to strengthen prevention, acute care, and long-term rehabilitation, particularly in resource-limited settings. Conflict of interest Gita Diah Prasasti: nothing to disclose
Prasasti et al. (Fri,) studied this question.