Mortality rates and number of deaths from cardiovascular diseases in Italyfrom 1982 to 1993. A comparison with total and tumour data

In this study the recent Italian trends in cardiovascular deaths and mortal ity are described and compared with the trends regarding total and tumour d eaths and mortality. The data, collected from the National Institute of Sta tistics, are presented as total (T), tumour (TU), cardiovascular (CV), cere brovascular (CVD), ischemic heart disease (IHD) standardized mortality (sm) , non-standardized mortality (nsm) and absolute number of deaths (d), accor ding to sex, age, and geographical area. Data on sm were available only for the age group <75 years old. In males, from 1982 to 1993, T-sm fell by 18% , TU-sm by 4%, CV-sm by 30%, CVD-sm by 38% and IHD-sm by 24%. In females, t he decrements were generally greater: T-sm 20%, TU-sm 4%, CV-sm 35%, CVD-sm 39% and IHD-sm 28%. Since 1985/87, rumours have been the leading cause of mortality, in both sexes. By 1991/93, the highest rates of CV, CVD, IHD-sm were reported mostly in the South of Italy. Non-standardized mortality rate s for tumours increased, and for cardiovascular diseases decreased, in both sexes and age groups (<75 and greater than or equal to 75 years old). As f or sm, in the group <75 years, old tumours have been the leading cause of m ortality since 1985/87, but in the older age group CV-nsm has been more tha n twice TU-nsm. By 1991/93 in comparison with 1982/84, CV deaths have falle n by 6% (-284 in the age group <75 years, +3% in the age group greater than or equal to 75 years), while TU deaths have grown by 17% (+3% in the age g roup <75 years, +45% in the age group <greater than or equal to>75 years). Considering all age groups, by 1991/93 the absolute number of CV-d (239.241 ) was much greater than the number of TU-d (151.908); overall, almost 70% o f CV-d and 40% of TU-d took place in the older age group. For the near futu re, the rapid aging of the Italian population (from 1982/84 to 1991/93 ther e was a 40% increment in the population older than 75 years) is a relevant variable to take into account. Thus, despite the 'reassuring' fall in CV-sm and nsm, cardiovascular diseases are expected to remain the major cause of death and physical disability in adults. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.