[Mortality caused by acute myocardial infarction in Chile in the period 1990--2001].
BACKGROUND
Acute myocardial infarction is the first cause of death among adults in Chile. It caused 5,650 deaths during 2001.


OBJECTIVE
To analyze the evolution and mortality of Acute Myocardial Infarction in Chile between 1990 and 2001.


METHODS
Analysts of data on mortality caused by Acute Myocardial Infarction in Chile, obtained from the databases of the Ministry of Health. The adjusted morality rates and disability adjusted life years (DALY) were calculated for the period.


RESULTS
In the study period, adjusted mortarlity decreased from 86 to 67.6 deaths/100,000 inhabitants. The DALYs ratio between men and women increased from 2.7 to 2.9. The mean death age for men and women was 69.9 and 76.5 years respectively (p <0.001). Forty five percent of women and 51% of men died at home, 78% of women and 66% of men received medical attention.


CONCLUSIONS
Although there was a reduction in mortality caused by acute myocardial infarction in the study period, there are still gender differences in the age of death, and access to medical care.
Meza
Jorge Szot
JS
Departamento de Epidemiología, Ministerio de Salud de Chile. jszot@minsal.gov.cl
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002423:Cause of Death; D002677:Chile / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000401:mortality*; D017678:Sex Distribution