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[Pulmonary embolism: epidemiology and pathology]
Schweizerische Medizinische Wochenschrift
|December 1, 1984
Summary
Pulmonary embolism (PE) mortality has significantly increased in recent decades, particularly in Switzerland. While autopsy data shows a rise, death certificate diagnoses reveal discrepancies, though trends align with increasing PE mortality rates.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Pathology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Review of pulmonary embolism (PE) pathology, mortality attribution, and life expectancy.
- Analysis of PE mortality trends in Switzerland (1920-1982).
Observation:
- Incidence of PE assessed from ~300,000 autopsies plotted against time.
- Comparison with death certificate diagnoses from Switzerland and other countries.
- Acknowledged discrepancies between autopsy and death certificate diagnoses for PE.
Findings:
- Consistent evidence of a marked increase in PE mortality in recent decades across several countries.
- Autopsy data suggests a rising trend in PE incidence and associated mortality.
- The rate of increase in PE mortality appears to have decelerated since 1975.
Implications:
- Highlights the growing public health burden of pulmonary embolism.
- Underscores the need for improved diagnostic accuracy and reporting of PE.
- Suggests potential shifts in PE's epidemiological trajectory warranting further investigation.