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Risk factors and mortality among female Riga population. An autopsy study
V A Volkov1, I V Ronis, A A Grünberg
1Republican Bureau of Pathology, Ministry of Health of the Latvian SSR, Riga, USSR.
Insights
Neoplasms and cardiovascular diseases are leading causes of death in Riga females aged 20-59. Risk factors like smoking and low physical activity are highly prevalent, increasing vascular death risks.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- Neoplasms and cardiovascular diseases are significant causes of mortality globally.
- Understanding risk factor prevalence is crucial for targeted public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the primary causes of death in Riga females aged 20-59.
- To determine the prevalence of key cardiovascular risk factors in this demographic.
- To identify associations between risk factors and mortality from vascular diseases.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective autopsy-based study.
- Involved analysis of 518 cases of females aged 20-59 in Riga.
- Examined prevalence of arterial hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, smoking, overweight, subcutaneous fat tissue thickness, physical activity, and diabetes mellitus.
Main Results:
- Neoplasms and cardiovascular diseases were the most frequent causes of death.
- High prevalence of risk factors: smoking (42.1%), low physical activity (65.4%), increased subcutaneous fat tissue (54.0%), and hypercholesterolemia (28.1%).
- Arterial hypertension, overweight, and increased fat tissue thickness were associated with higher incidence of coronary and vascular deaths.
Conclusions:
- Cardiovascular diseases and neoplasms are major mortality drivers in young to middle-aged Riga females.
- Prevalence of modifiable risk factors is substantial, highlighting a need for preventative strategies.
- Targeted interventions for arterial hypertension, overweight, and obesity are critical to reduce vascular mortality.
Abstract:
Neoplasms and cardiovascular diseases were the most common causes of death in an investigation of 518 autopsies of Riga females aged 20 to 59 years. The prevalence of examined risk factors in this population was as follows: Arterial hypertension: 15.2%; hypercholesterolemia: 28.1%; smoking: 42.1%; overweight: 22.4%; increased thickness of subcutaneous fat tissue: 54.0%; low physical activity: 65.4%; diabetes mellitus: 4.9%. Coronary and vascular deaths were highest in incidence among persons with arterial hypertension, overweight, and increased fat tissue thickness.