Causes of death in Almaty residents before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Introduction. It was conducted a study of the structure and dynamics of death outcomes among Almaty residents over the COVID-19 pandemic. The leading causes of death in the population during this period may change, both through infectious morbidity and losses due to concomitant chronic non-communicable diseases associated with coronavirus infection. 
 Material and methods. The material for the analysis was the registered data on case of deaths among Almaty residents in Kazakhstan between 2018 and 2020. We studied the structure and trend in cases of death by gender and age of patients, depending on the date and place of death and in view of the class of diseases.
 Results. During 2020, the number of deaths of Almaty residents increased in 1.37 and 1.40 times compared to 2018 and 2019. Differences in deaths on gender and age of patients were revealed. In trend, the number of deaths recorded in the hospital has significantly increased whereas the number of deaths at home has decreased. In 2020, five major classes of diseases dominated in the structure of causes of death: 1) I00-I99, 2) G00-G99, 3) C00-D48, 4) J00-J99, and 5) U07.1 and U07.2.
 Research limitations. All cases of deaths registered in Almaty were used to analyse the subject of the study, which increases the reliability of statistical conclusions.
 Conclusion. During the COVID-19 pandemic the structure of causes of death among residents of Almaty changed when compared with previous years. There was gain in deaths, which is primarily due to coronavirus infection and diseases associated with COVID-19. It is possible underreporting of deaths from COVID-19 among residents of Almaty which related with false registration of comorbid diseases.