Analysis of Lethality in Echinococcal Disease

ABSTRACT

The information on mortality from echinococcosis is important not only for a better understanding of the severity of the disease, but also for evaluating the effectiveness of public health interventions. The aim of this research was to study the causes of mortality from echinococcosis. We have collected and analyzed the materials of 1,470 patients in 10 age - groups in the Republic of Armenia (from 2000 to 2016). To find out the causes of mortality from echinococcosis, we have analyzed the medical histories and protocols of postmortem examinations of 19 deaths from echinococcosis and 17 deaths due to other indirect causes not associated with the parasite. The average annual death rate from echinococcosis is 0.007 per 10,000 population, and the mortality is 1.29 (per 100 patients). The highest mortality occurs in people aged 70–79. Mortality from echinococcosis is also recorded among the unoperated children. The rupture of the parasitic cyst and hepatic insufficiency are major among the direct causes of mortality. Sometimes the hydatid cysts unrecognized during the life were first diagnosed at autopsy. Insufficient qualification of doctors in the field of helminthology, as well as the latent course of the disease or manifestation of minor symptoms in echinococcosis over a long period often led to medical errors. Further decline in mortality can be achieved by early diagnosis, timely hospitalization and treatment before the development of severe complications worsening the prognosis and outcomes of surgical intervention.