Liver diseases in Mexico and their associated mortality trends from 2000 to 2007: A retrospective study of the nation and the federal states.
BACKGROUND
Liver disease is a major health issue in Mexico. Although several studies have been performed to analyze the impact of liver diseases on the Mexican population, none has compared the prevalence and impact of liver disease between states within Mexico.


OBJECTIVE
To analyze trends in mortality associated with liver diseases from 2000 to 2007 at the national and state levels.


METHODS
Data was obtained from the Ministry of Health (number of deaths) and the National Population Council (CONAPO) (population at risk) and mortality rates were analyzed using statistical software.


RESULTS
Mortality due to viral hepatitis, liver tumors, and cirrhosis increased over the study period. Alcohol-related mortality decreased but was still the main cause of liver-related deaths. Viral hepatitis infection occurred predominantly in the northern states and liver tumors occurred predominantly in the central region. Alcohol-related deaths were elevated along the Pacific shoreline and deaths associated with cirrhosis occurred mainly in the central and southern states.


CONCLUSIONS
Incidence of liver-related mortality has increased and will continue to do so in the future.
Medica Sur Clinic and Foundation. Liver Research Unit, Mexico City, Mexico. nmendez@medicasur.org.mx
Nahum
N
Méndez-Sánchez
Elsy
E
García-Villegas
Beatriz
B
Merino-Zeferino
Soledad
S
Ochoa-Cruz
Antonio R
AR
Villa
Herlinda
H
Madrigal
Ramón A
RA
Kobashi-Margáin
Ylse
Y
Gutiérrez-Grobe
Norberto
N
Chávez-Tapia
Guadalupe
G
Ponciano-Rodríguez
Misael
M
Uribe
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology / Q000401:mortality; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000401:mortality*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality / Q000208:ethnology / Q000639:trends*; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult