[Retrospective study of echinococcosis in the Zadar region from 1960 to 1990]

Seven hundred and thirty-six patients with human echinococcosis admitted to the Zadar General Hospital between 1960 and 1990 were studied. Seven hundred and seventeen patients were residents of Zadar region, while 19 were referred from other areas. There were more females (61%) than males (39%) in our study, with the majority of patients (208 individuals) being in the age group of 60 years and more. Among the examinees, the largest number were housewives (42%). 59.1 percent of echinococcus was found in the liver, 22.7% in the lungs and 3.4% in the spleen. There was a significant difference between surgically treated and untreated patients (p < 0.01) as well as between cured and uncured ones (p < 0.01). Over the studied period, there were approximately 24 new cases and 23.74, respectively. The incidence rate per 100,000 inhabitants for 1990 was 12.74. The decrease of incidence was 83.13%. The prognosis made in 1978 for specific morbidity in 1990 was 9.051 approximately 9, and 3.682 approximately 4 for realized specific morbidity. In 1990, the density of population in Zadar region was 68.2 inhabitants/km2. The number of inhabitants per 1 km2 on the mainland within the same year was 79.9, while on the islands it was 29.2 inhabitants/km2. In order to make a comparison, density of population in 1980 was calculated. The number of population amounted to 66.1 inhabitants/km2. In 1980, there were 75.8 inhabitants/km2 on the mainland, and 35.2 inhabitants per 1 km2 on the islands of the Zadar region. In 1990 the number of inhabitants on the islands decreased, although the overall number of inhabitants of that region increased.