The incidence of acute myocardial infarction in the district Olomouc in 1994--descriptive study

Cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in the Czech Republic are among the highest in the world. The morbidity data, however, are not routinely registered and thus a basis for preventive program evaluation is not available. Aim of the study is to establish the incidence of acute myocardial infarction in the Olomouc district in 1994 and to compare it with the incidence of this disease in the Czech Republic. Cases of acute myocardial infarction (diagnosis 121 according to the 10th revision of ICD established by a physician) were included. Sources of data concerning the diagnosis included the registries of internal clinics, departments of internal medicine, department of forensic medicine of the Faculty of Medicine in Olomouc, and general practitioners practising in the Olomouc district. Data concerning myocardial infarction mortality were obtained from the Olomouc Regional Statistical Office. The 6th version of EPI-Info Programme was used to process the data. In 1994, 523 cases of acute myocardial infarction were diagnosed in the Olomouc district, 313 in men and 210 in women. The respective incidence per 100,000 inhabitants was 227: 286 in men and 178 in women. Acute myocardial infarction mortality per 100,000 in Olomouc district was 98.05, it is 109.57 in men and 87.26 in women. For comparison, acute myocardial infarction mortality per 100,000 in the Czech Republic at the same period was 171.4 and 117.2 for men and women, respectively. Highest incidence was observed in March and October/November, lowest occurrence was observed in July and August. The incidence decreased with increasing size of the place of residence. As to the latter, further analysis is required to formulate conclusions concerning the morbidity trends.