Analysis of mortality trends due to cardiovascular diseases in Panama, 2001-2014

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are still the leading cause of death worldwide despite the recent decline in mortality rates attributable to CVD in Western Europe and the Americas. The aim of this study is to investigate mortality trends due to ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and stroke in Panama from 2001 to 2014, as well as the mortality differences by sex and age groups.

Data were obtained from the National Mortality Register. The International Classification of Diseases 10th revision codes (ICD-10) I20-I25 and I60-I69 were used for IHD and stroke, respectively. Age-adjusted mortality rates were calculated using the world population of the WHO as standard. Trends were analysed using Joinpoint Regression Program and annual percentage changes (APC) were estimated.

From 2010, the IHD mortality trend began to decline in the whole population of Panama (APC -4.7%, p<0.05). From 2001 to 2014, a decline in the trend for IHD mortality was observed (APC -1.7%, p<0.05) in women, but not in men. Stroke mortality showed a significant annual decline during the study period (APC -3.8%, p<0.05) and it was more pronounced in women (APC -4.5%, p<0.05) than in men (APC -3.3%, p<0.05).

In Panama, the mortality rates from IHD and stroke have declined in recent years. Better access to healthcare, improved treatment of acute IHD and stroke, low tobacco consumption and better control of hypertension probably account for a significant part of this mortality reduction.