Mesenteric vascular disease: A population-based cohort study

Mesenteric vascular disease carries a high risk of mortality and morbidity; however, due to obscure clinical presentation, it can be under-recognized. Currently, epidemiology of mesenteric vascular disease remains poorly defined. The aim of this study is to analyze changes in Scottish mortality rates from mesenteric vascular disease overtime.

This is a retrospective, longitudinal population-based cohort study using data extracted from death certificates and Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation. All deaths related to a vascular disorder of the intestines recorded as an underlying cause of death between 1979 and 2014 were identified using International Classification of Disease-9 or International Classification of Disease-10 code groups. Data included demographics and location of death. The residence postcodes were used to classify socio-economic status using the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation.

From 2,142,921 deaths over 36 years, 14,530 (0.7%) were due to mesenteric vascular disease with a median (interquartile range) age of 77 and a 2:1 female to male gender ratio. The mean ± standard deviation age significantly increased from 72.6 ± 12.1 in 1979 to 76.8 ± 11.1 in 2014 (p < 0.001, R² = 0.772). Males were consistently younger than females at the time of death. The two lowest Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation categories accounted for half of the cohort, throughout the study period (p = 0.068). The adjusted death rate per 100,000 population increased from 7.6 in 1979 to 12.1 in 2014.

The reported death rates of mesenteric vascular disease in Scotland between 1979 and 2014 have nearly doubled. Mesenteric vascular disease affects twice as many women as men and is associated with social deprivation. The increased reporting of mesenteric vascular disease is likely due to increased recognition and incidence. These implications should be considered when planning healthcare provision in Scotland.