Mortality In Hungary Research Articles

May Measurement Month 2021: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Hungary.

Elevated blood pressure (BP) is the most important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which are still the leading cause of mortality in Hungary. Therefore, screening programmes identifying subjects with hypertension have an important role in CVD prevention. In 2017, the International Society of Hypertension initiated May Measurement Month (MMM) aimed at raising awareness of elevated BP. Hungary joined the MMM campaigns in 2017, 2019, and 2021, and a summary of the results from 2021 is presented here. An opportunistic cross-sectional survey of volunteers aged ≥18 was carried out in September 2021. Measurement of BP, the definition of hypertension, and statistical analysis followed the standard MMM protocol. In Hungary, 30 sites were set up in primary and secondary care facilities, in pharmacies, and in malls. Both cities and villages were involved in all regions. A total of 1414 individuals were screened, and 558 subjects (39.5%) had hypertension. Out of 1065 participants not on antihypertensive medication, 209 (19.6%) had elevated BP. Among treated individuals (n = 349), 206 (59.0%) had controlled BP (<140/90 mmHg). Almost 40% of the participants had hypertension. Among untreated participants, one in five had elevated BP, while among patients on antihypertensive medication, 41% had uncontrolled BP. These results confirm the importance of screening of hypertension in untreated individuals and that efforts are required to adequately control BP in treated hypertensive patients.

The role of socioeconomic variables in the regional inequalities of COVID-19 mortality in Hungary

The role of socioeconomic variables in the regional inequalities of COVID-19 mortality in Hungary

Patient delay and its clinical significance among head and neck cancer patients in Hungary.

Introduction: Head and neck cancers represent a major health problem in Hungary. With their high incidence and mortality rates, Hungary is one of the world leaders in these indicators. The length of patient delay, defined as time from onset of symptoms to first medical consultation, is unknown in Hungarian patients with head and neck cancer. We aimed to use a representative sample of the Hungarian head and neck cancer patient population to determine patient delay according to disease localization and stage and to identify correlations with other clinical parameters. Methods: In our retrospective study, we reviewed patient documentation. For the inclusion, the patients had to be diagnosed with malignant tumors of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx or larynx at the Department Head and Neck Surgery of Semmelweis University between 2012 and 2017. Results: We identified 236 patients who met the inclusion criteria. The median delay was 9.5weeks (range 0-209weeks) and the mean delay of patients was 17.57weeks (SD 23.67). There was a significant difference in patient delay data by location. Among glottic cancers, the most common diagnosis was an early stage (67%), compared with other localizations, including most commonly the oropharynx (81%) and hypopharynx (80%), where a locoregionally advanced stage was more frequent. Discussion: Compared to data from different countries, the delay of Hungarian patients with head and neck cancer is significantly longer, which may contribute to the high mortality in Hungary. Screening and patient education in high-risk groups could contribute to earlier diagnosis and thus improve prognosis.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicide rates in Hungary: an interrupted time-series analysis

From 2010 to 2019, suicide mortality fell steadily and substantially in Hungary: the declining trend remained stable, and the suicide rate decreased by more than one-third which was remarkable even from an international perspective. However, despite the declining trend, regional inequalities have always characterised the distribution of suicide mortality in Hungary. Following these favourable trends, COVID-19 appeared in Hungary on the 4th of March 2020 which might lead to an increase in suicides. We aimed to investigate this hypothesis in Hungary by gender, age, educational attainment, and region, as well. To test whether the pandemic changed the declining trend of Hungarian suicide rates, the observed number of suicides during March-December 2020 (pre-vaccination period) was compared with the expected numbers (without the appearance of COVID-19). An interrupted time-series analysis was conducted by negative binomial regression using monthly data from January 2010 to February 2020 (pre-pandemic period). Suicide mortality increased significantly compared to the trend during the pre-pandemic period: overall (by 16.7%), among males (18.5%), in the age group 35-49years (32.8%), and among vocational school graduates (26.1%). Additionally, significant growths in suicide rates were detected in the two regions (Central Hungary and Central Transdanubia) with the lowest COVID mortality rates (by 27.3% and 22.2%, respectively). Our study revealed reversed trend in suicide mortality during the pre-vaccination period compared to the pre-pandemic period in Hungary. There were significant differences in the pattern of suicide rates by gender, age group, educational attainment, and region during the pre-vaccination period in Hungary, which might be attributed to the socio-economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings could prove useful in preventive strategies as the identification of groups at higher risk may be important for suicide prevention; however, further investigations are needed to explore the reasons.

EPH25 Premature Mortality From Ischaemic Heart Disease Among Women in Hungary by District

Ischaemic heart disease (IHD) has been one of the leading causes of mortality in the world. This study was aimed to assess the IHD mortality in Hungary. Our aim was to analyse premature mortality rates due to ischaemic heart disease among women in Hungary, by district.

Suicide mortality in Hungary during the COVID-19 pandemic.

While suicide rates did not change (or decreased) in the first pandemic year (i.e., 2020) in the majority of countries, in Hungary the number of completed suicides rose significantly. In our study, we investigated whether the unfavourable trend reversal of the Hungarian suicide rate following the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic persisted in the second pandemic year. We used an interrupted time-series analysis with Prais-Winsten regression, controlling for time and seasonal effects as well as autoregressive effects, to estimate the effect of the pandemic on the suicide rates of the Hungarian male, female and total populations in 2020 and 2021. In the first pandemic year, we observed a significant increase in suicide rates in males and the total population. Although the case numbers for males and the total population in 2021 exceeded the case numbers of the pre-pandemic year, regression estimates suggest that the increase in rates did not differ significantly from the pre-pandemic years in males and it was only found to be significant at the 10% level in the total population. Based on the examination of data from the first two pandemic years, we may conclude that by 2021 the adverse effect of the pandemic on suicidality reduced in the total population and disappeared in males. The question remains open whether this favourable development will continue. Orv Hetil. 2022; 163(48): 1895-1901.

Underlying reasons for post-mortem diagnosed lung cancer cases - A robust retrospective comparative study from Hungary (HULC study).

The Hungarian Undiagnosed Lung Cancer (HULC) study aimed to explore the potential reasons for missed LC (lung cancer) diagnosis by comparing healthcare and socio-economic data among patients with post-mortem diagnosed LC with those who were diagnosed with LC during their lives. This nationwide, retrospective study used the databases of the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (HCSO) and National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to identify patients who died between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019 and were diagnosed with lung cancer post-mortem (population A) or during their lifetime (population B). Patient characteristics, socio-economic factors, and healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) data were compared between the diagnosed and undiagnosed patient population. During the study period, 8,435 patients were identified from the HCSO database with LC as the cause of death, of whom 1,203 (14.24%) had no LC-related ICD (International Classification of Diseases) code records in the NHIF database during their lives (post-mortem diagnosed LC population). Post-mortem diagnosed LC patients were significantly older than patients diagnosed while still alive (mean age 71.20 vs. 68.69 years, p<0.001), with a more pronounced age difference among female patients (difference: 4.57 years, p<0.001), and had significantly fewer GP (General Practitioner) and specialist visits, X-ray and CT scans within 7 to 24 months and 6 months before death, although the differences in GP and specialist visits within 7-24 months did not seem clinically relevant. Patients diagnosed with LC while still alive were more likely to be married (47.62% vs. 33.49%), had higher educational attainment, and had more children, than patients diagnosed with LC post-mortem. Post-mortem diagnosed lung cancer accounts for 14.24% of total lung cancer mortality in Hungary. This study provides valuable insights into patient characteristics, socio-economic factors, and HCRU data potentially associated with a high risk of lung cancer misdiagnosis.

Lost productivity due to head and neck cancer mortality in Hungary, Poland, and Romania

Background/aimsHead and neck cancer (HNC) describes a range of malignant tumours that arise from the epithelium of the mucous membranes in the head and neck region, including the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, nasal cavity, and paranasal sinuses. In Hungary, oral cancer is among the top ten causes of cancer-related death (Diz et al., 2017 [1]). In Romania, HNC mortality has increased by more than 50 % in the last decade, and in Poland, HNC is the seventh most common type of cancer (Diz et al., 2017, Pinkas et al., 2022 [1,2]).To inform priorities for cancer control, this analysis estimated the mortality burden and cost of lost productivity due to premature HNC-deaths in Hungary, Poland, and Romania. The model used years of life lost (YLL), years of productive life lost (YPLL) and present value of future lost productivity (PVFLP). MethodsWe modelled patients who died from HNC in Hungary, Poland, and Romania in a single year and utilised epidemiological inputs and economic inputs to estimate YLL, YPLL, PVFLP and PVFLP/death. ResultsHNC resulted in 9729 annual deaths and 157,328 YLL in Hungary, Poland, and Romania. PVFLP was estimated to be €449 million, (€87 million, €193 million, €169 million, in Hungary, Poland and Romania respectively) with a total PVFLP/HNC-death of €46,158. ConclusionHNC leads to substantial societal costs in Hungary, Poland, and Romania. Given the number of premature deaths and associated productivity loss, reducing HNC burden should be a priority for policymakers. Policy summaryGiven the severe clinical and economic burden of HNC, a multidisciplinary approach is required to reduce this burden, including prevention policies and improved diagnostic techniques to promote early diagnosis. Improvements in preventative measures will not only decrease productivity losses relating to HNC but would also have a huge impact across other cancer indications (e.g., lung and cervical cancers) and other illnesses linked to these policy areas (e.g., heart disease and diabetes).

EPH85 Mortality and Health Care Utilization Trends of Cardiovascular Diseases: Comparing Hungary to OECD Average

Incidence and prevalence of chronic diseases are ever-increasing, responsible for QoL deterioration, disability, and even premature mortality. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are among the leading causes of mortality in Hungary. Our aim was to assess mortality and health care utilization trends related to CVDs in Hungary and comparing them to OECD average.

Decreasing suicide mortality in Hungary – What are the main causes?

IntroductionDepression and suicidal behaviour are major public health problems everywhere but particularly in Hungary where until 2000 the suicide rate was among the highest in the world.ObjectivesTo analyse the possible causes of declining national suicide rate of Hungary.MethodsReview of the scientific literature on Hungarian suicide scene published in the last 40 years.ResultsThe peak of Hungarian national suicide rate was in 1985 (46/100.000) but due to a steady and continuous, year by year decline, in 2019 it was only 16/100.000, which represents a more than 65% decrease. Rate of unrecognised/untreated mood disorders, availability of health/psychiatric care, antidepressant and lithium prescription, unemployment, smoking and alcohol consumption as well as lithium and arsenic contents of drinking water were the most investigated possible determinants of suicide mortality of the country. More widespread and effective treatment of psychiatric/mood disorder patients, decreased rate of unemployment and smoking as well as the continuously improving living standards were the most important contributors to the great decline of the national suicide rate. However, in 2020 – the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic – the national suicide rate rose by 16%, which was almost totally accounted for by the increase of suicides among males.ConclusionsSuicidal behaviour is preventable in many cases, but as it is a complex, multicausal phenomenon, its prevention should involve several medical/psychiatric, psychosocial and community interventions.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Investigation of the association between lithium levels in drinking water and suicide mortality in Hungary

BackgroundIn recent decades, a series of ecological studies from various countries have attempted to reveal whether there is an association between trace amounts of lithium in drinking water and suicide mortality. With some notable exceptions, results have indicated that there is an inverse association between these two variables. Since Hungary had extremely high rates of suicide with a persistent spatial pattern, we consider that our country is ideal to investigate this research question. MethodsWe carried out our research on Hungarian data at the level of districts (n = 197). The dependent variable was the age- and gender-standardized mortality ratio for suicide (sSMR). Our main explanatory variable was the tap water lithium level (Li) from public drinking water supply systems using their own water source (n = 1 325). Those data, which give full national coverage, were aggregated to the level of districts. Confounding factors were religiosity, alcohol consumption and income. Various regression models were used for statistical calculations. ResultsFindings from our most appropriate regression model – adjusted for relevant confounding variables and able to handle spatial autocorrelation and heteroscedasticity – suggest a significant (p < 0.05) and a trend-like (p < 0.1) negative association between Li and sSMR in the total population and among males, respectively. However, such an association was not found between these two variables among females. ConclusionIn line with the majority of findings from other countries, our results indicate that the intake of lithium with drinking water may have a gender-dependent suicide-protective effect.

May Measurement Month 2019: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Hungary.

Cardiovascular diseases are not only the leading causes of mortality in Hungary but also the mortality rate is twice as high as the European Union average, so screening programmes identifying subjects with elevated blood pressure (BP) are of utmost importance. May Measurement Month (MMM) is an annual global initiative that began in 2017 aimed at raising awareness of high BP. Hungary joined the 3rd campaign of MMM in 2019 and an overview of the results are presented in this paper. An opportunistic cross-sectional survey of participants aged ≥18 years was carried out in May 2019. Hypertension was defined as systolic BP ≥140 mmHg and diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg or treatment for hypertension, statistical analysis followed the standard MMM protocol. In Hungary, 55 sites were set up in primary and secondary care facilities, in pharmacies, and in malls across all regions, in both cities and villages. Out of 2766 individuals screened, 1286 participants (46.5%) had hypertension. Out of 1869 participants not on antihypertensive medication, 389 (20.8%) had elevated BP. In the case of treated individuals (n = 897), 420 (46.8%) had uncontrolled hypertension. Almost every 2nd subject of the screened cohort had hypertension (treated and controlled, treated and uncontrolled, or untreated). In the untreated cohort, every 5th subject had elevated BP, whilst among patients on antihypertensive medication, every second had uncontrolled BP. By identifying almost one-third of the whole screened cohort with the possibility of newly diagnosed or uncontrolled hypertension, our results confirm the importance of BP screening campaigns.

Age and Gender Specific Lung Cancer Incidence and Mortality in Hungary: Trends from 2011 Through 2016.

Objective: No assessment was conducted describing the age and gender specific epidemiology of lung cancer (LC) prior to 2018 in Hungary, thus the objective of this study was to appraise the detailed epidemiology of lung cancer (ICD-10 C34) in Hungary based on a retrospective analysis of the National Health Insurance Fund database. Methods: This longitudinal study included patients aged ≥20 years with LC diagnosis (ICD-10 C34) between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2016. Patients with different cancer-related codes 6 months before or 12 months after LC diagnosis or having any cancer treatment other than lung cancer protocols were excluded. Results: Lung cancer incidence and mortality increased with age, peaking in the 70–79 age group (375.0/100,000 person-years) among males, while at 60–69 age group for females (148.1/100,000 person-years). The male-to-female incidence rate ratio reached 2.46–3.01 (p < 0.0001) among the 70–79 age group. We found 2–11% decrease in male incidence rate at most age groups, while a significant 1–3% increase was observed in older females (>60) annually during the study period. Conclusion: This nationwide epidemiology study demonstrated that LC incidence and mortality in Hungary decreased in younger male and female population, however we found significant increase of incidence in older female population, similar to international trends. Incidence rates peaked in younger age-groups compared to Western countries, most likely due to higher smoking prevalence in these cohorts, while lower age LC incidence could be attributed to higher competing cardiovascular risk resulting in earlier mortality in smoking population.

Different Trends in Excess Mortality in a Central European Country Compared to Main European Regions in the Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic (2020): a Hungarian Analysis.

Objective: This study examined cumulative excess mortality in European countries in the year of the Covid-19 pandemic and characterized the dynamics of the pandemic in different countries, focusing on Hungary and the Central and Eastern European region. Methods: Age-standardized cumulative excess mortality was calculated based on weekly mortality data from the EUROSTAT database, and was compared between 2020 and the 2016–2019 reference period in European countries. Results: Cumulate weekly excess mortality in Hungary was in the negative range until week 44. By week 52, it reached 9,998 excess deaths, corresponding to 7.73% cumulative excess mortality vs. 2016–2019 (p-value = 0.030 vs. 2016–2019). In Q1, only Spain and Italy reported excess mortality compared to the reference period. Significant increases in excess mortality were detected between weeks 13 and 26 in Spain, United Kingdom, Belgium, Netherland and Sweden. Romania and Portugal showed the largest increases in age-standardized cumulative excess mortality in the Q3. The majority of Central and Eastern European countries experienced an outstandingly high impact of the pandemic in Q4 in terms of excess deaths. Hungary ranked 11th in cumulative excess mortality based on the latest available data of from the EUROSTAT database. Conclusion: Hungary experienced a mortality deficit in the first half of 2020 compared to previous years, which was followed by an increase in mortality during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, reaching 7.7% cumulative excess mortality by the end of 2020. The excess was lower than in neighboring countries with similar dynamics of the pandemic.

Christmas, acute ischemic stroke and stroke-related mortality in Hungary.

ObjectivesRisk factors for stroke include psychological effects, such as depression. Festive occasions (such as Christmas in Hungary) may carry a significant emotional impact and may therefore contribute to increased cardiovascular risk. Thrombolytic treatment of acute ischemic stroke has a narrow time window and allows for the precise assessment of stroke incidence.Materials & MethodsWe analyzed anonymized national data of the number of thrombolytic treatments for acute ischemic stroke and the number of stroke‐related deaths between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2016 in Hungary within 2‐day, 5‐day, and 1‐month periods preceding and following 24 December each year. Analysis of subgroups based on age (below and over 65 years) and sex was also performed.ResultsThe number of thrombolytic treatments was higher in all three periods preceding Christmas compared to the corresponding period that follows the feast. This increase was particularly prominent in men below 65 years of age. While overall stroke‐associated mortality was increased 1 month after Christmas, the death rate was higher a month before rather than after Christmas in men below 65 years of age and in women both below and over 65 years of age 5 days before Christmas.ConclusionsThese findings may predominantly relate to emotional and psychological factors. In case of women, the anxiety secondary to festive preparations, while in men below 65 years, the increased psychological stress of providing financial security for the celebration may play an important role.

Changing Trends in Melanoma Incidence and Decreasing Melanoma Mortality in Hungary Between 2011 and 2019: A Nationwide Epidemiological Study.

BackgroundThe incidence of malignant melanoma has continually increased during the past few decades, however, certain reports suggest a recent change in trends. The aim of our study was to examine the epidemiology of melanoma in Hungary.MethodsThis nationwide, retrospective, longitudinal study included melanoma patients diagnosed between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2019 using the databases of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and Central Statistical Office (CSO) of Hungary. Age-standardized incidence and cause-specific mortality rates were calculated.ResultsWe identified 2,426 and 2,414 new melanoma cases in 2011 and in 2019. Age-standardized incidence rates were higher in males and varied between 28.28 and 34.57/100,000 person-years (PYs), and between 22.63 and 26.72/100,000 PYs in females. We found 16.14 and 18.82% increases in male and female incidence rates from 2011 to 2015 (p=0.067 and p<0.001, respectively), and 12.77 and 11.35% decreases from 2015 to 2019 (p=0.062 and p=0.004, respectively). The change of incidence trends (2011–2015 vs. 2015–2019) was significant in females (p=0.002) and in the total melanoma population (p=0.011), but not in the male population (p=0.063). A 16.55% (95% CI: −27.07 to −4.59; p=0.013) decrease in mortality rates was found in the overall melanoma population.ConclusionsWe observed a significant trend change in melanoma incidence in the female and total melanoma population, and a significant decrease in mortality in the total melanoma population. These changes may be attributed to intensive melanoma awareness campaigns as well as to the increase in screening and access to modern therapies.

Exploring the use of a carcass detection dog to assess mowing mortality in Hungary

The intensification of agriculture has resulted in changes to mowing techniques. Slow manual cutting gave wild animals time to move to safer habitat patches and left hiding places for them. With the arrival of much faster mowing machinery this is no longer the case. To date, there are few ways of measuring direct mortality of new mowing capabilities on wildlife. In our study we aimed to answer whether a search dog, previously trained to find carcasses, could be used to assess mowing mortality of various species in different vegetation types in Hungary. Working with a handler, a carcass-trained dog fitted with a GPS surveyed several habitats post-mowing. All the animal remains detected were identified and recorded. 149 killed individuals were detected on 12 land parcels studied (158.2 carcasses/100 ha). The most affected vertebrate group was the reptiles (57%), all with protected status in Hungary, followed by mammals (30%) and birds (6%). Reptiles were predominantly represented by lizards, while rodents were the most common mammals found (91% and 70%, respectively). The dog also found dead brown hares, pheasants and roe deer (11% of all carcasses), which has implications for local wildlife managers. There was no statistical difference in the density of dead individuals between grassy meadows and leguminous vegetation, or in those found in the morning or afternoon. The mortality rate was not associated with the area of the mowed field. Our findings suggest that this is a viable use of carcass detection dogs. We recommend additional work of this kind to reveal the fatal impacts of new, faster mowing practices on wildlife living in agricultural landscapes to help mitigate conservation and game management conflicts.

Age and gender specific lung cancer incidence and mortality in Hungary: Trends from 2011 through 2016.

e21572 Background: No assessment was conducted describing the age and gender specific epidemiology of lung cancer (LC) prior to 2018 in Hungary, thus the objective of this study was to appraise the detailed epidemiology of lung cancer (ICD-10 C34) in Hungary based on a retrospective analysis of the National Health Insurance Fund database. Methods: This longitudinal study included patients aged ≥20 years with LC diagnosis (ICD-10 C34) between 1st January 2011 and 31th December 2016. Patients with different cancer-related codes 6 months before or 12 months after LC diagnosis or having any anti-cancer treatment different from lung cancer protocols were excluded. Results: In 2011, 4,522 new male lung cancer cases were registered in the NHIF database, while we found 4,176 incident patients in 2016. The number of female patients increased from 2,636 to 2,828 during the same period. The mean age at diagnosis was 64.51 years for men (SD±9.85) and 64.93 years for women (SD±11.19) in 2011, increasing steadily to 65.80 years (SD±9.41) and 65.99 years (SD±10.45), respectively. Lung cancer incidence and mortality increases with age, peaking in the 70–79 age group (375.0/100,000 person-years) among males, while at 60–69 age group for females (148.1/100,000 person-years). The male-to-female incidence rate ratio reached 2.46 to 3.01 (p &lt; 0.0001) among the 70–79 age group. We found 2-11% decrease in male incidence rate at most age groups, while a significant 1-3% increase was observed in older females ( &gt; 60) annually during the study period. Conclusions: This nationwide epidemiology study demonstrated that LC incidence and mortality in Hungary is decreasing in younger male and female population, however we found significant increase of incidence in older female population, similar to international trends. Incidence rates peaked in younger age-groups compared to Western countries, most likely due to higher smoking prevalence in these cohorts, while lower age LC incidence could be attributed to higher competing cardiovascular risk resulting in earlier mortality in smoking population.

Healthcare spending inequality: Evidence from Hungarian administrative data

Using administrative data on a random 50% of the Hungarian population, including individual-level information on incomes, healthcare spending, and mortality for the 2003–2011 period, we develop new evidence on the distribution of healthcare spending and mortality in Hungary by income and geography. By linking detailed administrative data on employment, income, and geographic location with measures of healthcare spending and mortality we are able to provide a more complete picture than the existing literature which has relied on survey data. We compute mean spending and 5-year and 8-year mortality measures by geography and income quantiles, and also present gender and age adjusted results.We document four patterns: (i) substantial geographic heterogeneity in healthcare spending; (ii) positive association between labor income and public healthcare spending; (iii) geographic variation in the strength of the association between labor income and healthcare spending; and (iv) negative association between labor income and mortality. In further exploratory analysis, we find no statistically significant correlation between simple county-level supply measures and healthcare spending. We argue that taken together, these patterns suggest that individuals with higher labor income are in better health but consume more healthcare because they have better access to services.Our work suggests new directions for research on the relationship between health inequalities and healthcare spending inequalities and the role of subtler barriers to healthcare access.

PCV91 CHANGES IN THE MORTALITY RELATED TO ISCHAEMIC HEART DISEASE IN PEOPLE ABOVE 65 YEARS BETWEEN 1990-2015 IN WHO EUROPEAN REGION

Cardiovascular diseases are among the leading causes of hospitalisation and mortality in Hungary and in most European Union countries. The aim of our study was to analyse age-specific standardised mortality related to ischaemic heart disease in 100,000 population. Data were derived from the WHO European Mortality Database for the years 1990 and 2015, for the age group above 65. We compared standardised mortality related to ischaemic heart disease in 100,000 population in Eastern Europe (Bulgaria, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Czechia, Croatia, Poland, Hungary, Rumania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia), Western Europe (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Ireland, Luxemburg, Norway, Italy, Portugal, Sweden, Spain, Switzerland) and former states of the Soviet Union (Azerbaijan, Estonia, Belorussia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kirgizia, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia, Armenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan) in both sexes. In our analysis we used descriptive statistics, test of normality and two-sample Student’s T-test. In 1990, standardised mortality in people above age 65 was the highest in former Soviet States (n=15) 2419.50/100,000, the lowest rate was found in Western Europe (WE; N=17) 998.97/100,000.It decreased to 1846.37/100,000 (-23.69%, n=13) and 386.69/100,000 (-61.29%, n=17) by 2015 respectively. In Eastern Europe (EE) the rate of changes (-25.78%)was similar to that in former Soviet states. Between 1990 and 2015, a significant decrease was found in both sexes mortality rates in states of the former Soviet (men -24.89%; women-26.69%), in EE (men-27.10%; women-25.21%) and WE as well (men-61.79%; women-62.56%). Male mortality exceeded female mortality in all the three groups. Significant differences were found for 2015 among the three groups in mortality, in both sexes and between the sexes as well (p<0.05). We found significant improvement in ischaemic heart disease mortality in all of the three groups of countries. The highest improvement was observed in Western-European countries.