[Trends of mortality from cerebrovascular disease in the State of São Paulo: 1970 to 1989].
OBJECTIVE
description of proportional mortality and death rates by Stroke in adult population (20 years of age or older) of São Paulo State, Brazil.


METHODS
the deaths were obtained from the statistical official bureau; the population data were based in the Federal Census (1970, 1980 and 1991); all trends whose the slope was significantly greater than zero had a calculation of the decline per year.


RESULTS
proportional mortality for Stroke decreased for males (M) (-11.40%) and increased for females (F) (+7.58%); Stroke in all cardiovascular diseases showed increase in both sexes, +8.65% (M) and +3.12% (F); Stroke age-adjusted death rates declined 1.19% (M) per year and 1.76% (F) per year between 1970 and 1989; the ages whose decline was more important were those 60-years-old of age or older (M) and 40-years-old or older (F); the male/female sex ratio increased during the observed years (22% in 1970 to 45%) due to the change in the 50-59 age strata (36% in 1970 to 69% in 1989).


CONCLUSIONS
the fall of the Stroke deaths rates could be due to increase in the detection and control of hypertension; other factors such as improve in death certification, decline of Chagasic myocarditis, new image-diagnostic tests and medical care had maybe only a secondary play in the decline of stroke mortality.
Lotufo
P A
PA
Divisão de Clínica Médica, Hospital Universitário, Universidade de São Paulo, Brasil.
De Lolio
C A
CA
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality*; D003644:Death Certificates; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017678:Sex Distribution
Tendéncia da mortalidade por doença cerebrovascular no Estado de São Paulo: 1970 a 1989.