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Changes in mortality trends amongst common diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden

Michael Axenhus1,2, Sophia Schedin-Weiss1, Bengt Winblad1,2

  • 1Division of Neurogeriatrics, Centre for Alzheimer Research, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden.

Scandinavian Journal of Public Health
|December 22, 2021
PubMed

Insights

COVID-19 impacted mortality rates for common diseases. Sweden’s lax restrictions showed increased neurological deaths, while infections, tumors, and cardiac disease deaths decreased during the pandemic.

Area of Science:

  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health
  • Mortality Studies

Background:

  • COVID-19 pandemic response strategies varied globally, with some nations implementing strict lockdowns and others adopting more lenient measures.
  • Understanding the differential impact of pandemics on various diseases is crucial for effective public health policy.
  • Sweden's unique approach to pandemic restrictions provides a valuable case study for analyzing disease mortality trends.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of COVID-19 on historical mortality rates of common diseases in Sweden during 2020.
  • To compare observed mortality trends with predicted values based on historical data.
  • To identify changes in mortality patterns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in a country with relaxed restrictions.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized regression models and moving averages to predict expected premature mortality based on historical datasets (ICD-10 codes).
  • Compared predicted mortality values with recorded premature mortality data for 2020.
  • Analyzed changes in mortality trends across various disease categories.

Main Results:

  • Observed a seasonal increase in mortality rates for neurological diseases.
  • Found decreased mortality rates for infectious diseases, tumors, and cardiac diseases compared to predicted outcomes.
  • Identified significant shifts in mortality trends for several common conditions during the pandemic.

Conclusions:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic caused observable changes in mortality trends for common diseases, including neurological, infectious, cardiac conditions, and tumors.
  • The indirect effects of COVID-19 on patient populations with pre-existing conditions warrant careful consideration.
  • Pandemic impact assessments must account for the complex interplay between the virus and other disease categories.
Abstract

Keywords:
Alzheimer’s diseaseCOVID-19ICD-10Parkinson’s diseaseYPLLtumours

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