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[Cerebrovascular disorders in Uberlandia: I. Mortality]
Insights
Cardiovascular diseases were the leading cause of death in Uberlandia in 1982, followed by infectious diseases like Chagas
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Cardiology
Background:
- In 1982, Uberlandia, Brazil, recorded 1361 deaths among residents.
- Physician-assisted deaths with a determined cause accounted for 47% of the total.
- Understanding mortality patterns is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the primary causes of death in Uberlandia during 1982.
- To investigate the contribution of different disease categories to overall mortality.
- To assess the impact of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and hypertension on mortality rates.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 1361 death certificates from Uberlandia for the year 1982.
- Categorization of causes of death, distinguishing between basic cause and related conditions.
- Comparison of mortality indices based on the role of the disease (basic vs. related).
Main Results:
- Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) were the leading basic cause of death (23.3%).
- Infectious diseases, notably Chagas' disease (14.9%), and traumatic injuries/poisonings (14.4%) were the second and third leading causes.
- Cerebrovascular diseases, while seventh as a basic cause (6.5%), appeared third most frequently on certificates (12.7%).
- Mortality indices for CVD varied significantly depending on whether it was listed as the basic cause or a related condition (30 vs. 63/100,000 inhabitants/year).
- Individuals with arterial hypertension showed CVD mentioned on their death certificates 10 times more often than those without hypertension.
Conclusions:
- Cardiovascular diseases represent a major mortality burden in Uberlandia, with cerebrovascular diseases being significantly underreported as a basic cause.
- The distinction between basic and related causes of death is critical for accurate mortality assessment.
- Arterial hypertension is a significant risk factor associated with cardiovascular mortality.
Abstract:
We have analyzed 1361 death certificates, during the year of 1982 in Uberlandia (Brazil), all deaths of residents and not deathbirths. In 47% the deaths were assisted by a physician and the cause of death proved. The first basic cause of death found was cardiovascular diseases (23.3%). The second, infectious diseases particularly Chagas' disease (14.9%) and the third traumatic lesions and poisonings (14.4%). Cerebrovascular diseases were the seventh basic cause of death (6.5%) but the third most related disease at the death certificates (12.7%). It is important to stress that the mortality index change considerably if we consider the disease as a basic cause of death or in more than one position in the death certificate. For instance in Uberlandia the index for CVD was 30 and 63/100.000 inab/year, respectively. The carriers of arterial hypertension presented CVD related at death certificate 10 times more than in the not carriers of hypertension.