Potentially Life-threatening Vascular Events (Myocardial and Cerebral Infarction) - Geographical Distribution and Temporal Evolution in Romania

Abstract

As worldwide, the non communicable diseases are a matter of concern in Romania, especially the cardio and cerebrovascular diseases that are the leading cause of death. The study of the geographical distribution and temporal evolution of these diseases could bring useful information for targeting cost-effective interventions that will avoid a great part of these deaths. The main objective of the study is to identify nationwide, regional and county-level the distribution of two types of life-threatening vascular diseases, myocardial and cerebral infarction and their temporal evolution. A cross-sectional study was conducted for period 2010-2014 by using validated hospital activity data reported at patient level by Romanian hospitals. The inclusion criteria considered all hospitals reporting data included in National Diagnosis Related Groups (DRG) database; data extraction targeted the selection of demographic and socioeconomic factors for DRG codes related to both health conditions. In the last 5 years the total number of potential life-threatening vascular events such as stroke and myocardial infarction increased, almost constantly the number of cerebrovascular events being several times higher than cardiovascular events. There are registred important differences among regions, the most affected being Bucharest area and several counties, both in myocardial and cerebral infarction. Men are almost twice affected by cardiac events, while in case of stroke there is a slight predominance for women in the last 2 years. Data indicates a constantly increasing predominance of patients residents in urban areas, the most affected being those over 65 and patients between 41-64 years of age. Further studies are required on the risk factors for these diseases in the most affected areas than targeted interventions should be designed and implemented in order to decrease morbidity and to prevent complications and loss of lives due to cardio and cerebrovascular diseases.