title: Mortality of cerebrovascular diseases in Croatia--1958-1997.
abstract: The aim of this investigation was to analyze secular trend of mortality from cerebrovascular diseases in Croatia and its regional characteristics. The research comprised all deaths from cerebrovascular diseases in Croatia in persons aged between 35 and 74 years over the period 1958-1997. The investigated period is divided in eight 5-year periods, and for that 5-year periods proportional mortality rates, standardized mortality rates and specific mortality rates, according to the age and gender were calculated. Number of all deaths in the population aged 35-74 in Croatia, by 5-year periods rose from 18,913 to 26,788 (increase of 42%), deaths from cerebrovascular diseases from 2831 to 3959 (increase of 40%). Proportional mortality rate for this disease increased from 9.0% in the first 5-year period to 14.8% in the last 5-year period (increase of 64%). Standardized mortality rates for cerebrovascular diseases increased from 118 to 206 per 100,000 inhabitants (increase of 75%). The specific mortality rates over a 5-year period have shown a trend of increase in all men age groups and stagnation or decrease in women age groups. At the same time the rates standardized by age and sex increased by 62%. Standardized mortality rates for cerebrovascular diseases in continental communities (Osijek, Varazdin) are much higher (twice or even threefold) than those in coastal communities (Split, Rijeka). A data analysis showed that, although mortality trends of cerebrovascular diseases stagnated or even declined in some communities during the recent years, the secular trend for the entire country had a tendency of constant rise over the whole period of research. Therefore, the short-term prognosis predicts further increase of both the number and rates of deaths from cerebrovascular diseases in our country.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Osijek University Hospital, Osijek, Croatia.
authors.forename: Dragutin
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kadojić
authors.forename: Vladimir
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Babus
authors.forename: Zlatko
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Trkanjec
authors.forename: Mira
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kadojić
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mihaljević
authors.forename: Marinko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dikanović
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000401:mortality*; D017523:Croatia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality / Q000639:trends*; D011379:Prognosis; D012737:Sex Factors