Diabetes mellitus mortality in Spanish cities: Trends and geographical inequalities.

AIM: To analyze the geographical pattern of diabetes mellitus (DM) mortality and its association with socioeconomic factors in 26 Spanish cities. METHODS: We conducted an ecological study of DM mortality trends with two cross-sectional cuts (1996-2001; 2002-2007) using census tract (CT) as the unit of analysis. Smoothed standardized mortality rates (sSMR) were calculated using Bayesian models, and a socioeconomic deprivation score was calculated for each CT. RESULTS: In total, 27,757 deaths by DM were recorded, with higher mortality rates observed in men and in the period 1996-2001. For men, a significant association between CT deprivation score and DM mortality was observed in 6 cities in the first study period and in 7 cities in the second period. The highest relative risk was observed in Pamplona (RR, 5.13; 95% credible interval (95%CI), 1.32-15.16). For women, a significant association between CT deprivation score and DM mortality was observed in 13 cities in the first period and 8 in the second. The strongest association was observed in San Sebastián (RR, 3.44; 95%CI, 1.25-7.36). DM mortality remained stable in the majority of cities, although a marked decrease was observed in some cities, including Madrid (RR, 0.67 and 0.64 for men and women, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate clear inequalities in DM mortality in Spain. These inequalities remained constant over time are were more marked in women. Detection of high-risk areas is crucial for the implementation of specific interventions.

Evolution of socio-economic inequalities in mortality in small geographical areas of the two largest cities in Spain (Barcelona and Madrid), 1996-2007.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the evolution of socio-economic inequalities in mortality in small areas of two Spanish cities (Barcelona and Madrid) from 1996 to 2001 and from 2002 to 2007. STUDY DESIGN: A small-area ecological study of trends was performed, in which the units of analysis were census tracts. METHODS: The association between mortality and socio-economic deprivation was assessed through Poisson regression analysis. Models were stratified by sex, age group and period of study. The trend in inequalities in mortality was assessed by introducing an interaction term between deprivation and the period of study. RESULTS: Mortality in the most-deprived areas was significantly higher than mortality in the less-deprived areas in both periods and most age groups. However, inequalities seemed to diminish in young people and elderly women, especially in Barcelona. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need to monitor inequalities in mortality in the near future because the current financial crisis could change this situation.