Trends in age-adjusted coronary heart disease mortality rates in Slovakia between 1993 and 2009

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Cardiology

Background:

• Cardiovascular diseases (CVD), particularly coronary heart disease (CHD), represent a leading cause of mortality in the Slovak Republic (SR).
• Understanding mortality trends is crucial for public health interventions and resource allocation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze trends in age-adjusted CHD mortality rates in the Slovak Republic from 1993 to 2009.
• To assess changes in potential years of life lost (PYLL) due to CHD in males and females during the same period.

Main Methods:

• Age-adjusted CHD mortality rates were calculated using the European standard population.
• Joinpoint Poisson regression analysis was employed to determine annual percentage changes in mortality trends.
• PYLL per 100,000 population was calculated for males and females.

Main Results:

• Age-adjusted CHD mortality rates showed a decrease in both the general Slovak population and the working-age population.
• The observed decline in CHD mortality was statistically significant within the working-age demographic.
• PYLL per 100,000 decreased over the study period, with a more pronounced decline noted in males.
• Trends in specific CHD diagnoses, such as myocardial infarction and chronic ischaemic heart disease, mirrored each other.

Conclusions:

• CHD mortality rates have declined in Slovakia, with a significant positive impact observed in the working-age population.
• The reduction in PYLL, particularly among males, suggests a potential improvement in outcomes for younger demographics.
• Further research is recommended to validate cause-of-death coding, analyze age-specific mortality, and compare Slovak trends with neighboring countries.