21st century accelerating neurological deaths in UK and major Western countries: - Demographic and/or multiple-interactive-environmental causes?
J Neurol Sci
; 462: 123094, 2024 Jul 15.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38897154
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
We examine whether the rise in neurological death rates over the 21st century are solely explained by the Gompertzian hypothesis. STUDYDESIGN:
We examine two data-sets. First, Office of National Statistics (ONS, 2022) for nineteen mortality categories in England/Wales, including Alzheimer's, Dementias and Parkinson's Disease. Secondly, WHO (2020) Combined Neurological Mortality (CNM), from WHO Global mortality categories, Nervous Disease Deaths, and Alzheimer's & Other Dementias.METHODS:
Based on ONS data we investigate trends in Age-Standardised Mortality Rates (ASMR) of CNM 2000-2022. Based on WHO data we examine rates of Early Deaths (55-74) and ASMR, for CNM between 2000 and 2015 in the ten Major 'Western' economies Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Spain, UK, and the USA.RESULTS:
In England & Wales death rates have increased 348% for Alzheimer's, 235% for Dementias, and 105% for Parkinson's Disease in contrast with falls in most other cause mortality. Early Adults Deaths CNM rates increased in eight countries, an average of 19%. Neurological ASMR rose in every country, averaging 43%, the highest was the UK 95%.CONCLUSION:
We reject the Gompertzian hypothesis as an all-encompassing explanation for these marked increases in ASMR. Increases in early adult neurological deaths suggests this cannot be solely explained by an aging population. Furthermore, increases in mortality could be related to an increased prevalence of neurological conditions in this age group. Action is urgently needed to investigate factors - whether environmental, lifestyle or health systems - that could explain these findings.Key words
Full text:
1
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Nervous System Diseases
Limits:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Aged80
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
/
Oceania
Language:
En
Journal:
J Neurol Sci
Year:
2024
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United kingdom