title: [The incidence of ischemic heart disease in white South Africans cremated in Pretoria, 1978-1985].
abstract: The prevalence of ischaemic heart disease was studied in a population selected on the basis of an application for cremation by the next of kin. In the age group 35-44 years 15.2% of the deaths were ascribed to ischaemic heart disease (IHD), while the corresponding figure in the general population was 27.2%. In females in the age group 45-54 years IHD was responsible for 9.3% of the deaths; the corresponding prevalence in the general population was 18.3%. The figures for all age groups and both sexes were 22% for the cremation group and 24.5% for the general population. In the economically active group (20-65) years, the figures were 20.0% for the cremation group and 30% for the general population. There was no significant difference in the IHD deaths between Afrikaans-speakers and other language groups. These findings are not necessarily applicable to the general population, as the cremation group is not truly representative, but the consistently lower prevalence of IHD suggests that there is over-reporting of this disease in unmonitored death certification.
authors.affiliation: Klerksdorpse Hospitaalkompleks, Tvl.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Steenekamp
authors.forename: I W
authors.initials: IW
authors.lastname: Simson
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: van der Merwe
mesh_terms: D002423:Cause of Death; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003644:Death Certificates; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009027:Mortuary Practice; D015995:Prevalence; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D044465:White People
vernacular_title: Die insidensie van iskemiese hartsiekte onder blanke Suid-Afrikaners wat in Pretoria veras is, 1978-1985.