A Review of Risk Concepts and Models for Predicting the Risk Of Primary Stroke

Elizabeth Hunter, Technological University Dublin
John Kelleher, Technological University Dublin

Abstract

Predicting an individual’s risk of primary stroke is an important tool that can help to lower the burden of stroke for both the individual and society. There are a number of risk models and risk scores in existence but no review or classification designed to help the reader better understand how models di􀀀er and the reasoning behind these di􀀀erences. In this paper we reviewthe existing literature on primary stroke risk prediction models. From our literature review we identify key similarities and di􀀀erences in the existing models. We find that models can di􀀀er in a number of ways, including the event type, the type of analysis, the model type and the time horizon. Based on these similarities and di􀀀erences we have created a set of questions and a system to help answer those questions thatmodelers and readers alike can use to help classify and better understand the existing models as well as help to make necessary decisions when creating a new model.