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Factors associated with reporting multiple causes of death
Melanie M Wall1, Jinzhou Huang, John Oswald
1Division of Biostatistics, University of Minnesota, A460 Mayo Building MMC 303, 420 Delaware Street S.E, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA. melanie@biostat.umn.edu
BMC Medical Research Methodology
|January 19, 2005
Summary
Multiple cause of death data reveal reporting inaccuracies. Demographic factors and death circumstances influence cause selection on death certificates, impacting population health insights.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Biostatistics
Background:
- Death certificates contain valuable multiple cause of death data.
- Analyzing these data can reveal reporting patterns and potential inaccuracies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationships between multiple causes of death and factors recorded on death certificates.
- To examine demographic and non-medical factors influencing cause of death reporting.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 326,332 Minnesota death certificates from 1990-1998.
- Examination of underlying and non-underlying causes of death in relation to covariates.
- Investigation of specific associations for ischemic heart disease and diabetes.
Main Results:
- The probability of multiple causes of death is associated with decedent demographics and death circumstances.
- The proportion of underlying versus non-underlying causes of death varies with these factors.
Conclusions:
- Multiple cause of death data can identify potential reporting errors.
- Demographic variations in cause selection offer insights into population health impacts.