[Epidemiologic surveillance of ischemic heart disease in the population of Pavia in 1986-1995]. / Sorveglianza epidemiologica delle malattie ischemiche del cuore nella popolazione di Pavia nel decennio 1986-1995.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In Italy mortality for coronary heart disease is continuously decreasing in males and females. However, it is not yet clear how much of this decline is attributable to a longer survival of coronary heart disease patients or to a real decreased incidence in the population. The aim of this paper was to analyze coronary heart disease mortality trends in the population of Pavia, case-fatality rates and acute myocardial infarction attack rates. METHODS: Mortality surveillance was carried out by the Epidemiological Unit of the ASL of Pavia; acute myocardial infarction attack rates were estimated from regional admission data for the Pavia population. The target population (1991 Census) was represented by two groups the first was equal to 49,326 residents (23,627 males and 25,699 females) 45-64 years of age, the second was equal to 17,208 residents (7236 males and 9972 females) 65-74 years of age. RESULTS: The decline in mortality was mainly observed in males aged 45-64. Acute myocardial infarction attack rates showed a decline in 45-64 men and an increase in the oldest age group. CONCLUSIONS: The surveillance of coronary heart disease epidemiological data from 1986 to 1995 in this population showed a decreased mortality mainly attributable to the decline of attack rates in the youngest and only to case-fatality rates in the oldest age group.