Efecto producido por la población institucionalizada en la estimación del riesgo de mortalidad en áreas pequeñas de Euskadi (España) / Effect of the population in collective dwellings on small-area mortality risk estimation in the Basque Country region (Spain)

OBJETIVO: Cuantificar el efecto que tiene la inclusión de la población institucionalizada en la estimación del riesgo de mortalidad en las secciones censales de Euskadi (España) para las principales causas de mortalidad en el periodo 1996-2003. MÉTODO: Estudio ecológico transversal por áreas pequeñas. Se analizaron las principales causas de mortalidad y por sexo. RESULTADOS: Al analizar el efecto general que tiene en todas las secciones con población institucionalizada se ha visto que no hay apenas ningún efecto reseñable en hombres ni en mujeres. En cambio, cuando se han seleccionado las áreas geográficas donde la población institucionalizada supone un porcentaje importante, más del 10% de la población de esa área, sí se ha observado un efecto incrementando la estimación del riesgo de mortalidad. CONCLUSIONES: El efecto que tiene la inclusión de la población institucionalizada se ve claramente en aquellas causas de mortalidad relacionadas con una mayor dependencia o fragilidad, y por lo tanto con estar en una residencia de personas mayores, como son las demencias y la enfermedad de Alzheimer, y la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica, sobrestimando el riesgo de mortalidad en torno a un 8% y un 4%, respectivamente, en esas áreas

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the effect of the inclusion of the population in collective dwellings on the estimation of mortality risk in the census areas of the Basque Country (Spain) for the main causes of mortality in the period 1996-2003. METHOD: Small-area ecological cross-sectional study. The main causes of mortality by sex were analyzed. RESULTS: When the general effect on all areas with a a population in collective dwellings was analyzed, hardly any noticeable effect was seen on either men or women. On the other hand, an effect was found when selecting the areas where the population in collective dwellings is more than 10% of the area's population. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of the inclusion of the population in collective dwellings clearly seen in causes of mortality, such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease, and in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, related to greater dependence or frailty, and therefore related to being in a nursing or elderly persons' home, over-estimating the risk of mortality by approximately 8% and 4%, respectively, in these geographical areas

[Effect of the population in collective dwellings on small-area mortality risk estimation in the Basque Country region (Spain)]. / Efecto producido por la población institucionalizada en la estimación del riesgo de mortalidad en áreas pequeñas de Euskadi (España).

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the effect of the inclusion of the population in collective dwellings on the estimation of mortality risk in the census areas of the Basque Country (Spain) for the main causes of mortality in the period 1996-2003. METHOD: Small-area ecological cross-sectional study. The main causes of mortality by sex were analyzed. RESULTS: When the general effect on all areas with a a population in collective dwellings was analyzed, hardly any noticeable effect was seen on either men or women. On the other hand, an effect was found when selecting the areas where the population in collective dwellings is more than 10% of the area's population. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of the inclusion of the population in collective dwellings clearly seen in causes of mortality, such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease, and in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, related to greater dependence or frailty, and therefore related to being in a nursing or elderly persons' home, over-estimating the risk of mortality by approximately 8% and 4%, respectively, in these geographical areas.

Estimación de indicadores de salud en áreas pequeñas a partir de datos de la Encuesta de Salud de Euskadi / Small area estimation of health indicators based on data from the Basque Country Health Survey

Las encuestas de salud son una herramienta clave para la toma de decisiones en políticas de salud y para la planificación de los servicios de salud. El uso de métodos estadísticos para áreas pequeñas que utilizan información de diferentes ámbitos geográficos puede resultar útil para estimar indicadores de salud a una escala geográfica menor que la originalmente considerada en el diseño de una encuesta

Health surveys are a key tool for decision-making in health policies and health services planning. The use of small-area statistical methods that use information at different geographic levels may be useful for estimating health indicators at a lower geographical level than originally considered in the survey design

[Small area estimation of health indicators based on data from the Basque Country Health Survey]. / Estimación de indicadores de salud en áreas pequeñas a partir de datos de la Encuesta de Salud de Euskadi.

Health surveys are a key tool for decision-making in health policies and health services planning. The use of small-area statistical methods that use information at different geographic levels may be useful for estimating health indicators at a lower geographical level than originally considered in the survey design.

Mortality and cause of death in multiple sclerosis: findings from a prospective population-based cohort in Bizkaia, Basque Country, Spain.

BACKGROUND: Mortality studies of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients are scarce. OBJECTIVE: To assess mortality of MS patients included in a large MS cohort from the county of Bizkaia in Spain. METHODS: Patients were collected from a dynamic population-based cohort of patients with MS from the county of Bizkaia (named the 'Bizkaia cohort') in the Basque Country (Spain). Data from official registries were used for estimating mortality indicators. RESULTS: During a 24-year period (1987-2011), a total of 1,283 patients were included in the Bizkaia cohort. Eighty-nine patients (6.9%) had died before December 31, 2011. The standardized mortality ratio was 2.78 for the whole group (3.26 for men and 2.73 for women), with a decreased life expectancy of 6.53 years. The mean survival from the onset of MS in deceased patients was 22.4 years. Death was related directly or indirectly to MS in 57 patients and unrelated in 27, while the cause of death was unknown in the remaining 5. Respiratory infection and sepsis were the most frequent MS-related causes of death. Differences in survival according to gender or disease course were not observed. CONCLUSION: Patients with MS included in the 'Bizkaia cohort' had an almost threefold increase in the risk for death. Life expectancy is reduced by 6-10 years.

Association of proximity to polluting industries, deprivation and mortality in small areas of the Basque Country (Spain).

BACKGROUND: The study is aimed at assessing social inequities in the location of polluting industries in the Basque Country, and at exploring if the effect on mortality of living near air polluting industries is modified by economic deprivation. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional ecological study that uses the census sections as analysis units. Mortality from all causes, lung cancer, respiratory diseases and ischaemic heart disease were studied. Ordinal logistic regression models were fitted to assess if proximity of census sections to polluting industries is associated with deprivation. Bayesian Poisson regression models were used to explore if the association between proximity to polluting industries and mortality is modified by socio-economic deprivation. RESULTS: Proximity to a polluting industry and deprivation are positively associated, showing a clear gradient across deprivation quintiles. In women, the risk associated with proximity to metal-processing industries grows as the deprivation of the area increases in the case of total and lung cancer mortality. In men, the interaction terms between proximity and deprivation are positive for total, ischaemic heart disease mortality, with a credibility level approaching 90%. High levels of deprivation are associated with greater risk of mortality, excepting lung cancer in women. CONCLUSION: There is a higher proportion of more deprived census sections around polluting industries in the Basque Country. Risks of mortality associated with proximity to polluting industries tend to be higher in more deprived areas.

Clinicopathological features of sudden unexpected infectious death: population-based study in children and young adults.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Infectious diseases are one of the major causes of sudden death, but data of sudden unexpected death from infectious diseases (SUDID) are sparse in children and young people. The aim of this study is to analyse their epidemiological, clinical, pathological and microbiological characteristics. METHODS: Population observational study of all deaths due to infectious diseases in people aged 0-34 years in Biscay between 1991 and 2010. The data of Mortality Register and Forensic Pathology Service were analysed. The SUDID cases in which a forensic autopsy was performed were identified. RESULTS: There were 56 SUDID cases (16% of the all sudden deaths). Myocarditis (n=20) and acute bacterial bronchopneumonia/pneumonia (n=18) were the most frequent causes, followed by meningococcemia (n=5) and viral pneumonia (n=4). A chronic co-morbid condition (mainly drug abuse in young people and moderate low birth weight in infants) was recorded in one-third and prodromal symptoms in two-thirds. Seventeen young people had consumed illegal drugs and/or methadone. In 17 of the 23 autopsies where microbiological analyses were performed, the organism responsible was identified. The incidence of SUDID was 0.6/100000 inhabitants/year, representing 5% of all deaths from infectious diseases. SUDID rate was 1.87 times higher in males than in females. The highest incidence occurred in infants (3.7). CONCLUSIONS: SUDID is infrequent, but it represents a significant proportion of all sudden deaths in children and young people. The relationship between methadone and bronchopneumonia is noticeable. This article stresses the importance of microbiological analyses in SUDID. Investigation based on forensic pathology provides useful epidemiologic, clinico-pathological and microbiological information for prevention of infectious diseases.

Socioeconomic differences in incidence and relative survival after a first acute myocardial infarction in the Basque Country, Spain

Objective To estimate the incidence and 28-day and 5-year survival rates after a first acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in relation to socioeconomic status in the Basque Country (Spain) between 1999 and 2000.MethodsData from a population-based registry of AMI were used. The study included 3,619 patients to calculate age-standardized incidence by the direct method and 2,003 patients (out-of-hospital deaths were excluded) to calculate observed and relative survival using the Kaplan-Meier and Hakulinen methods, respectively. Socioeconomic status was quantified using a deprivation index ecologically assigned to each patient according to the census tract of residence at diagnosis of AMI and was categorized into quintiles. Results Among men, the risk of AMI was higher in the lowest socioeconomic group than in the highest socioeconomic group (RR=1.17; 95%CI: 1.02-1.34). In men, a higher risk of death was observed in the middle (Q3; HR=1.60; 95%CI: 1.02-2.51) and low (Q5; HR=1.65; 95%CI: 1.02-2.69) quintiles compared with the least deprived group for age-adjusted survival during the acute phase. In the fully adjusted model, this effect was attenuated and no significant differences were observed in long-term survival. Among women, no significant differences were observed either in incidence or in short- and long-term survival. Conclusions Socioeconomic inequalities were only observed in men in incidence and in survival during the acute phase after an AMI (AU)

Objetivo Estimar la incidencia y la supervivencia a 28 días y 5 años tras un primer infarto agudo de miocardio (IAM) según la posición socioeconómica en el País Vasco entre 1999 y 2000.MétodosUtilizando datos de un registro poblacional de IAM se incluyeron 3.619 pacientes para estimar la incidencia ajustada por edad por el método directo, y 2003 (excluidas las muertes extrahopitalarias) para la supervivencia observada y relativa con el método de Kaplan-Meier y el de Hakulinen, respectivamente. El nivel socioeconómico se definió por un índice de privación ecológicamente asignado a cada paciente según la sección censal de residencia al diagnóstico del IAM, y se categorizó en quintiles. Resultados Los hombres del nivel socioeconómico más bajo tuvieron un mayor riesgo de IAM que los del más alto (RR=1,17; IC95%: 1,02-1,34). En la supervivencia en la fase aguda ajustada por edad, los hombres de los quintiles medio (Q3; HR=1,60; IC95%: 1,02-2,51) y bajo (Q5; HR=1,65; IC95%: 1,02-2,69) presentaron un mayor riesgo de muerte en comparación con el grupo más favorecido. Este efecto se vio atenuado en los modelos completamente ajustados, y no hubo diferencias significativas en la supervivencia a largo plazo. En la mujeres no se hallaron diferencias significativas en la incidencia ni en la supervivencia a corto y largo plazo. Conclusiones Sólo se han observado desigualdades socioeconómicas en los hombres en la incidencia y la supervivencia durante la fase aguda (AU)

Socioeconomic differences in incidence and relative survival after a first acute myocardial infarction in the Basque Country, Spain.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the incidence and 28-day and 5-year survival rates after a first acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in relation to socioeconomic status in the Basque Country (Spain) between 1999 and 2000. METHODS: Data from a population-based registry of AMI were used. The study included 3,619 patients to calculate age-standardized incidence by the direct method and 2,003 patients (out-of-hospital deaths were excluded) to calculate observed and relative survival using the Kaplan-Meier and Hakulinen methods, respectively. Socioeconomic status was quantified using a deprivation index ecologically assigned to each patient according to the census tract of residence at diagnosis of AMI and was categorized into quintiles. RESULTS: Among men, the risk of AMI was higher in the lowest socioeconomic group than in the highest socioeconomic group (RR=1.17; 95%CI: 1.02-1.34). In men, a higher risk of death was observed in the middle (Q3; HR=1.60; 95%CI: 1.02-2.51) and low (Q5; HR=1.65; 95%CI: 1.02-2.69) quintiles compared with the least deprived group for age-adjusted survival during the acute phase. In the fully adjusted model, this effect was attenuated and no significant differences were observed in long-term survival. Among women, no significant differences were observed either in incidence or in short- and long-term survival. CONCLUSIONS: Socioeconomic inequalities were only observed in men in incidence and in survival during the acute phase after an AMI.

Impacto de la morbilidad de la salud de la población del País Vasco 2002-2007: una visión integral a través de las esperanzas de salud / Impact of morbidity on the health of the Basque Country Population 2002-2007: a comprehensive approach through health expectancies

Fundamentos: La estimación del impacto de la morbilidad en la salud de la población es esencial para la planificación sanitaria. El objetivo consistió en estimar este impacto utilizando la esperanza de vida libre de discapacidad y en analizar si la hipotética eliminación de diferentes grupos de enfermedades hubiera conllevado una compresión o expansión de la morbilidad. Métodos: Estudio transversal referido a la población residente en la Comunidad Autónoma del País Vasco. Se combinaron datos de mortalidad (2002-2006), de la encuesta de salud del País Vasco (2007) y de población. Se estimó el impacto de los grupos de enfermedades y de enfermedades seleccionadas sobre las tasas de mortalidad, la esperanza de vida y los años potenciales de vida perdidos (APVP), y la discapacidad (número absoluto y tasas), así como de manera conjunta a través de la esperanza de vida libre de discapacidad (EVLD), calculada mediante el método Sullivan. Resultados: Las enfermedades que provocaron un mayor impacto sobre la mortalidad en los hombres fueron los tumores (35,2% de las muertes y el 39,3% de los APVP), y en las mujeres las enfermedades circulatorias (34,5% del total de muertes) y los tumores (43,6% del total de APVP). En la discapacidad las de mayor impacto fueron las enfermedades osteomusculares, que provocaron el 26,6% y el 45,2% del total de casos en hombres y mujeres. Las causas con un mayor impacto conjunto fueron las del aparato circulatorio (4,2 años de EVLD en hombres y 3,8 en mujeres). Sin embargo, las enfermedades osteomusculares fueron las que produjeron un mayor impacto sobre los años de vida con discapacidad. Conclusiones: Las enfermedades con mayor impacto en la salud fueron las del sistema circulatorio, los tumores y las del sistema osteomuscular. La eliminación de este último grupo de enfermedades hubiera provocado una compresión de la morbilidad provocando la mayor reducción en años vividos con discapacidad entre el total de causas(AU)

Background: The estimation of the impact of morbidity on health is essential to health planning. The objective was to estimate this impact using disability free life expectancy, and to analyze whether the hypothetical elimination of various diseases would have led to a compression or expansion of morbidity. Methods: Cross-sectional study on the population of the Basque Country. Data on mortality (2002-2006), health survey data (2007) and population based data were used. The impact of different groups of diseases on mortality rates, years of life and potential years of life lost (PYLL) and disability (absolute number and rates) were calculated. An integrated analysis was also done, using disability free life expectancy (DFLE), using the Sullivan method. Results: The diseases causing the greatest impact on mortality were tumours among men (35,2% and 39,3% of deaths and PYLL respectively), and circulatory diseases (34,5% of deaths) and tumours (43,6% of PYLL) among women. Osteomuscular diseases had a major impact on disability, causing the 26,6% and the 45,2% of the total cases in men and women). Circulatory diseases had the highest impact as a whole (4.2 years of DFLE in men and 3.8 in women). However, osteomuscular diseases had the highest influence on years of life with disability. Conclusions: The diseases which caused the overall greatest impact on mortality and disability were circulatory system related ones, tumors, and osteomuscular diseases. The elimination of this last group of diseases would have led to a morbidity compression, meaning the greatest reduction in life years with disability among all the causes(AU)

Socio-economic inequalities in mortality due to injuries in small areas of ten cities in Spain (MEDEA Project).

OBJECTIVES: To analyse socio-economic inequalities in mortality due to injuries among census tracts of ten Spanish cities by sex and age in the period 1996-2003. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional ecological study where the units of analysis are census tracts. The study population consisted of people residing in the cities during the period 1996-2003. For each census tract we obtained an index of socio-economic deprivation, and estimated standardized mortality ratios using hierarchical Bayesian models which take into account the spatial structure of the data. RESULTS: In the majority of the cities, the geographical pattern of total mortality from injuries is similar to that of the socio-economic deprivation index. There is an association between mortality due to injuries and the deprivation index in the majority of the cities which is more important among men and among those younger than 45 years. In these groups, traffic injuries and overdoses are the causes most often associated with deprivation in the cities. The percentage of excess mortality from injuries related to socio-economic deprivation is higher than 20% in the majority of the cities, the cause with the highest percentage being drug overdose. CONCLUSIONS: In most cities, there are socio-economic inequalities in mortality due to overdose and traffic injuries. In contrast, few cities have found association between suicide mortality and deprivation. Finally, no association was found between deprivation and deaths due to falls. Inequalities are higher in men and those under 45 years of age. These results highlight the importance of intra-urban inequalities in mortality due to injuries.

Estudio poblacional de la muerte súbita cardiovascular extrahospitalaria: incidencia y causas de muerte en adultos de edad mediana / Population-based study of out-of-hospital sudden cardiovascular death: incidence and causes of death in middle-aged adults

Introducción y objetivos. Existen pocos trabajos sobre muerte súbita cardiovascular extrahospitalaria en adultos de mediana edad. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar sus características epidemiológicas y clínico-patológicas. Métodos. Estudio poblacional de mortalidad cardiovascular en personas de 35-49 años en Vizcaya entre 2003 y 2008. Se analizaron los datos del Registro de Mortalidad y del Servicio de Patología Forense. Se identificó a los fallecidos por muerte súbita extrahospitalaria sometidos a autopsia forense. Resultados. De 465 muertes cardiovasculares, 216 fueron súbitas. La principal causa fue la cardiopatía isquémica (n=140/216). Otras fueron enfermedades del miocardio (n=32), enfermedades cerebrovasculares (n=19) y muerte súbita arrítmica en corazón estructuralmente normal (n=10). Las causas variaron significativamente en razón del sexo y la edad. El 10% tenía antecedentes de enfermedad cardiovascular en vida; el 66%, factores de riesgo cardiovascular, y el 27% había consumido recientemente etanol y/o drogas de abuso. La incidencia fue de 13,2 residentes/100.000 habitantes/año. La incidencia fue 3,77 veces superior en varones que en mujeres y se incrementaba con la edad. Conclusiones. La incidencia de muerte súbita en Vizcaya fue menor que en otros países industrializados. La mitad de las muertes cardiovasculares en adultos de mediana edad son muertes súbitas extrahospitalarias, que afectan principalmente a sujetos sin enfermedad conocida en vida. El desarrollo de estrategias para identificar a las personas con mayor riesgo dentro de la población general con bajo riesgo es esencial en la prevención. Los estudios basados en autopsias forenses mejoran los conocimientos sobre mortalidad cardiovascular (AU)

Introduction and objectives: The data of mortality of out-of-hospital sudden cardiovascular death in middle-aged adults have been poorly characterized. The aim of this study is to analyze their epidemiological, clinical and pathological characteristics. Methods: Population observational study of all cardiovascular deaths in people 35–49 years old in Vizcaya between 2003 and 2008. The data of Mortality Register and Forensic Pathology Service were analyzed. The out-of-hospital sudden deaths subjected to forensic autopsy were identified. Results: 216 of the 465 cardiovascular deaths were sudden deaths. The main cause was ischemic heart disease (N = 140/216). Other conditions were: cardiomyopathies (N = 32), cerebrovascular diseases (N = 19) and sudden arrhythmic death in structurally normal hearts (N = 10). The causes varied significantly in relation to gender and age. Ten percent had been diagnosed in life of a cardiovascular disease; 66% had cardiovascular risk factors and 27% had recently consumed ethanol and/or abuse drugs. The incidence of sudden death was 13.2/100,000 inhabitants/year, representing 46% of cardiovascular deaths. The incidence was 3.77 times higher in males than in females and increased with the age. Conclusions: The incidence of sudden death in Vizcaya was lower than in other industrialized countries. In middle-aged adults out-of-hospital sudden cardiac death is the first manifestation of disease in half of all cardiovascular deaths. One challenge in prevention is the development of strategies to identify the highest risk people within the general population at low risk. Studies based on forensic autopsies improve our understanding of cardiovascular mortality (AU)

[Impact of morbidity on the health of the Basque Country population 2002-2007: a comprehensive approach through health expectancies]. / Impacto de la morbilidad en la salud de la población del País Vasco 2002-2007: una visión integral a través de las esperanzas de salud.

BACKGROUND: The estimation of the impact of morbidity on health is essential to health planning. The objective was to estimate this impact using disability free life expectancy, and to analyze whether the hypothetical elimination of various diseases would have led to a compression or expansion of morbidity. METHODS: Cross-sectional study on the population of the Basque Country. Data on mortality (2002-2006), health survey data (2007) and population based data were used. The impact of different groups of diseases on mortality rates, years of life and potential years of life lost (PYLL) and disability (absolute number and rates) were calculated. An integrated analysis was also done, using disability free life expectancy (DFLE), using the Sullivan method. RESULTS: The diseases causing the greatest impact on mortality were tumours among men (35,2% and 39,3% of deaths and PYLL respectively), and circulatory diseases (34,5% of deaths) and tumours (43,6% of PYLL) among women. Osteomuscular diseases had a major impact on disability, causing the 26,6% and the 45,2% of the total cases in men and women). Circulatory diseases had the highest impact as a whole (4.2 years of DFLE in men and 3.8 in women). However, osteomuscular diseases had the highest influence on years of life with disability. CONCLUSIONS: The diseases which caused the overall greatest impact on mortality and disability were circulatory system related ones, tumors, and osteomuscular diseases. The elimination of this last group of diseases would have led to a morbidity compression, meaning the greatest reduction in life years with disability among all the causes.

Population-based study of out-of-hospital sudden cardiovascular death: incidence and causes of death in middle-aged adults.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The data of mortality of out-of-hospital sudden cardiovascular death in middle-aged adults have been poorly characterized. The aim of this study is to analyze their epidemiological, clinical and pathological characteristics. METHODS: Population observational study of all cardiovascular deaths in people 35-49 years old in Vizcaya between 2003 and 2008. The data of Mortality Register and Forensic Pathology Service were analyzed. The out-of-hospital sudden deaths subjected to forensic autopsy were identified. RESULTS: 216 of the 465 cardiovascular deaths were sudden deaths. The main cause was ischemic heart disease (N=140/216). Other conditions were: cardiomyopathies (N=32), cerebrovascular diseases (N=19) and sudden arrhythmic death in structurally normal hearts (N=10). The causes varied significantly in relation to gender and age. Ten percent had been diagnosed in life of a cardiovascular disease; 66% had cardiovascular risk factors and 27% had recently consumed ethanol and/or abuse drugs. The incidence of sudden death was 13.2/100,000 inhabitants/year, representing 46% of cardiovascular deaths. The incidence was 3.77 times higher in males than in females and increased with the age. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of sudden death in Vizcaya was lower than in other industrialized countries. In middle-aged adults out-of-hospital sudden cardiac death is the first manifestation of disease in half of all cardiovascular deaths. One challenge in prevention is the development of strategies to identify the highest risk people within the general population at low risk. Studies based on forensic autopsies improve our understanding of cardiovascular mortality.

[Gender differences in early reperfusion treatment after myocardial infarction]. / Diferencias de género en el tratamiento de revascularización precoz del infarto agudo de miocardio.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Clinical variability in myocardial infarction (MI) regarding age, comorbidities and atypical symptoms could determine gender differences in inhospital care. This study analyzes the magnitude and determinants of differences between men and women in early reperfusion therapy in people hospitalized after MI. PATIENTS AND METHOD: 2,836 patients who arrived to hospital with MI were studied (IBERICA-Basque Country study). The relative risk (RR) of receiving early reperfusion for men versus women, adjusted by age, clinical characteristics, risk factors, and pre-hospital delay was estimated. The effect decomposition methodology and the log binomial regression were applied. RESULTS: 29% of patients were women with a median age of 77 years. The RR of revascularization in men compared to women was different according to age. When factors such as hypertension diabetes, Killip III-IV at admission and atypical symptoms were taken into account, statistically significant differences between sexes were not detected at 45 years old (RR=0.91; 95% CI=0.77-1.07). However, for 64 years old and over, the RR of reperfusion was 1.24 (95% CI=1.05-1.47). Both the differences by sex and the sex-age interaction were no longer statistically significant after adjusting by pre-hospital delay. CONCLUSIONS: The delay to receive medical care in elderly women is responsible of gender differences in early reperfusion. It is necessary to analyze the reasons for treatment-seeking delay.

Diferencias de género en el tratamiento de revascularización precoz del infarto agudo de miocardio / Gender differences in early reperfusion treatment after myocardial infarction

Fundamento y objetivo: Diferencias en la presentación clínica del infarto agudo de miocardio (IAM), como la edad, la comorbilidad y la frecuencia de síntomas atípicos, podrían condicionar un proceso de cuidados hospitalarios distinto según el sexo. Este estudio analiza la magnitud y los determinantes de las diferencias entre sexos en la revascularización precoz en personas ingresadas por IAM. Pacientes y método: Se estudió a 2.836 pacientes con IAM que accedieron a cuidados hospitalarios (IBERICA-País Vasco). Se estimó el riesgo relativo (RR) de revascularización precoz en los varones respecto a las mujeres teniendo en cuenta la edad, la presentación clínica, los antecedentes y la demora extrahospitalaria. Se aplicó la metodología de descomposición de efectos y el análisis de regresión log-binomial. Resultados: El 29% de los pacientes eran mujeres y su edad mediana, de 77 años. El RR de revascularización de los varones respecto a las mujeres fue distinto según la edad. Tras ajustar por hipertensión arterial, diabetes, Killip III-IV al ingreso y síntomas atípicos, no se apreciaban diferencias significativas a los 45 años (RR = 0,91; intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95%, 0,77-1,07), mientras que para los mayores de 64 años, el RR de revascularización fue de 1,24 (IC del 95%, 1,05-1,47). Al ajustar por la demora extrahospitalaria, las diferencias por sexo y la interacción del sexo con la edad no eran significativas. Conclusiones: El retraso en el acceso a la atención sanitaria de las mujeres mayores es causa de las diferencias por sexo en la revascularización precoz. Es necesario analizar las razones de esta demora

Background and objective: Clinical variability in myocardial infarction (MI) regarding age, comorbidities and atypical symptoms could determine gender differences in inhospital care. This study analyzes the magnitude and determinants of differences between men and women in early reperfusion therapy in people hospitalized after MI. Patients and method: 2,836 patients who arrived to hospital with MI were studied (IBERICA-Basque Country study). The relative risk (RR) of receiving early reperfusion for men versus women, adjusted by age, clinical characteristics, risk factors, and pre-hospital delay was estimated. The effect decomposition methodology and the log binomial regression were applied. Results: 29% of patients were women with a median age of 77 years. The RR of revascularization in men compared to women was different according to age. When factors such as hypertension diabetes, Killip III-IV at admission and atypical symptoms were taken into account, statistically significant differences between sexes were not detected at 45 years old (RR = 0.91; 95% CI = 0.77-1.07). However, for 64 years old and over, the RR of reperfusion was 1.24 (95% CI = 1.05-1.47). Both the differences by sex and the sex-age interaction were no longer statistically significant after adjusting by pre-hospital delay. Conclusions: The delay to receive medical care in elderly women is responsible of gender differences in early reperfusion. It is necessary to analyze the reasons for treatment-seeking delay

[Socioeconomic inequalities in mortality in the Basque Country [Spain]]. / Desigualdades socioeconómicas en la mortalidad en la Comunidad Autónoma del País Vasco.

OBJECTIVES: To describe socioeconomic inequalities in mortality in the Basque Country, using mortality and socioeconomic data by census sections. METHODS: Mortality and population data were obtained from the Basque Institute of Statistics. Socioeconomic characteristics of the census sections were assigned to each death and a deprivation index combining information from four socioeconomic indicators was computed. Age-adjusted mortality rates by sex, age group (0-64 > or = 65) and cause of death were calculated for each quintile of the deprivation index. Poisson regression models were fitted to estimate age-adjusted rate ratios and excess mortality attributable to inequalities. RESULTS: Mortality showed a gradient according to the deprivation index in men and women. Mortality was greater in the most deprived sections. Mortality inequalities were observed in men younger than 65 years. A total of 9.3% of deaths in men and 4.9% of those in women were attributable to socioeconomic inequalities. The relative importance of the cause of death differed according to the inequality measure used. Lifestyle-related causes of death were notable. CONCLUSION: This study illustrates the potential utility of census section socioeconomic indicators both to describe socioeconomic inequalities in mortality and to identify priorities for interventions.

Desigualdades socioeconómicas en la mortalidad en la Comunidad Autónoma del País Vasco / Socioeconomic inequalities in mortality in the Basque Country [Spain]

Objetivos: Describir las desigualdades socioeconómicas en la mortalidad en la Comunidad Autónoma del País Vasco, utilizando datos de mortalidad y socioeconómicos por secciones censales. Métodos: Los datos sobre las defunciones y sobre la población fueron obtenidos del Instituto Vasco de Estadística. Se asignó a cada defunción las características socioeconómicas de su sección censal y se construyó un índice de privación que combinaba cuatro indicadores socioeconómicos. Se estimaron tasas de mortalidad ajustadas por edad para cada quintil del índice de privación por sexo, grupo de edad (0-64, ≥ 65 años) y causa de defunción. Mediante modelos de regresión de Poisson se estimaron las razones de tasas ajustadas por edad y el exceso de mortalidad atribuible a las desigualdades. Resultados: La mortalidad mostró un gradiente según el índice de privación en ambos sexos, siendo la mortalidad mayor en las secciones más desfavorecidas. Las mayores desigualdades se observaron en los varones menores de 65 años. Un 9,3 y un 4,9% de las defunciones en los varones y en las mujeres, respectivamente, fueron atribuibles a las desigualdades socioeconómicas. La importancia relativa de las causas de muerte fue distinta según la medida de desigualdad utilizada, y destacaron las causas relacionadas con los estilos de vida. Conclusiones: Este estudio ilustra la utilidad de los datos por sección censal para describir las desigualdades en la mortalidad y para identificar prioridades de intervención

Objectives: To describe socioeconomic inequalities in mortality in the Basque Country, using mortality and socioeconomic data by census sections. Methods: Mortality and population data were obtained from the Basque Institute of Statistics. Socioeconomic characteristics of the census sections were assigned to each death and a deprivation index combining information from four socioeconomic indicators was computed. Age-adjusted mortality rates by sex, age group (0-64 ≥ 65) and cause of death were calculated for each quintile of the deprivation index. Poisson regression models were fitted to estimate age-adjusted rate ratios and excess mortality attributable to inequalities. Results: Mortality showed a gradient according to the deprivation index in men and women. Mortality was greater in the most deprived sections. Mortality inequalities were observed in men younger than 65 years. A total of 9.3% of deaths in men and 4.9% of those in women were attributable to socioeconomic inequalities. The relative importance of the cause of death differed according to the inequality measure used. Lifestyle-related causes of death were notable. Conclusion: This study illustrates the potential utility of census section socioeconomic indicators both to describe socioeconomic inequalities in mortality and to identify priorities for interventions

Incidencia y causas de muerte súbita en menores de 36 años / Incidence and causes of sudden death and young adults people

FUNDAMENTO: Estudio epidemiológico, clínico y patológico de la muerte súbita (MS) en niños y jóvenes. SUJETOS, MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: Estudio sobre la población general de todas las MS en personas de 1 a 35 años de edad desde 1991 hasta 1998 en Bizkaia. En cada caso se realizaron una autopsia completa y estudios histopatológicos, toxicológicos y, ocasionalmente, microbiológicos, y se recogió información sobre antecedentes patológicos. RESULTADOS: Hubo 107 casos de MS en personas de 1 a 35 años, siendo la tasa de mortalidad de 2,4/100.000/año. El riesgo de MS en varones triplicó al de mujeres. Las tasas fueron más altas en jóvenes que en niños. Sólo un pequeño porcentaje de las muertes naturales son súbitas (4,5 por ciento).El 43 por ciento de las MS fueron cardíacas, predominando la enfermedad ateromatosa coronaria a partir de los 30 años, y las enfermedades del miocardio y las anomalías del sistema de conducción en los jóvenes de 15 a 29 años. El 39 por ciento fueron extracardíacas, sobresaliendo las enfermedades infecciosas en niños, y la epilepsia y el asma en jóvenes de 15 a 29 años. Otro proceso patológico importante fue la hemorragia intracraneal. Un 18 por ciento de los casos fueron MS inexplicadas, siendo el porcentaje más alto entre los niños. Las causas de muerte difirieron significativamente con relación al sexo y la edad. CONCLUSIONES: La MS es muy infrecuente en niños y jóvenes y responde a una gran variedad de causas. Este estudio pone de manifiesto la importancia de la realización de autopsias forenses completas con el fin de estimular estudios epidemiológicos y preventivos de la MS (AU)