Introduction and objectives: Ischemic heart disease is the leading cause of cardiovascular mortality and the second most frequent cause in women in Spain. It is responsible for 12% and 10%, respectively, of all-cause mortality. Our aim was to identify those provinces where recent trends differ significantly from the overall national pattern of decreasing rates in recent years, and where intervention is probably needed.
Patients and method: We report mortality trends due to ischemic heart disease for the periods 1988-1991 and 1994-1997 for each province in persons aged 35 to 64 years, and mortality trends in Spain in the last 19 years for all age groups. Data for ischemic heart disease mortality were obtained from files supplied by the Spanish National Institute for Statistics. Mortality rates in the two 4-year periods were compared with log-linear Poisson regression models to estimate trends. Age-adjusted and mortality hazard-rates are presented with 95% CI, and time trends and geographical variations are also reported.
Results: The highest rates were seen at Andalucia (south), Levante (east) and the oversea provinces (Balearic [Mediterranean] and Canary Islands [Atlantic]). There were considerable geographical differences in mortality rates. Time trends showed a decrease in men in 27 provinces and a decrease in women in 12 provinces. Overall mortality trends decreased in the last 19 years in Spain.
Conclusions: Although the general trend is toward a decrease, there are differences between provinces in Spain. The previously reported North-South gradient and regional discrepancies were confirmed.