Elderly Mortality from Cerebrovascular Disease in Alagoas, 2000-2016: Spatial-Temporal Analysis

Abstract

Background: Cerebrovascular diseases (CVDs) are the second leading cause of death in Brazil. Objective: This study aimed to describe the epidemiological profile and to analyze the spatiotemporal dynamics of mortality from cerebrovascular disease in the elderly in Alagoas from 2000-2016. Methods: This is a multilevel ecological study of all deaths from CVD in individuals aged 60 years or older. Data were collected from the Mortality Information System. The variables were submitted to descriptive analysis, trend analysis by Joinpoint Regression method and spatial analysis with Global Moran’s and local statistics; 95% confidence interval and significance of 5% were considered in the analysis. Results: There were 21,440 deaths in the study period, 50.4% (n=10,797) male, 40.5% (n=8,670) aged ≥ 80 years, 44.5% (n=9,465) of “brown” race, 30.1% (n=6,448) married and 36.5% (n=7,828) with less than four years of schooling. Female and male mortality rates were 460.24/100,000 and 602.23/100,000, respectively. An annual decreasing trend of -1.4% (p<0.001) in overall and male mortality was observed from 2007 on. The highest mortality rates were concentrated in the eastern region of Alagoas (Moran’s I =0.766288; p=0.01). Twenty-two municipalities were in quadrant Q1 of Moran’s scattering diagram and considered priorities. Conclusion: Death from CVD in Alagoas occurred equally in men and women in the study period, mostly in individuals of mixed race, married, and with low education attainment. The highest rates were observed in the eastern region of the state. The results highlight the need for public policies aimed at healthy aging in the state. (Int J Cardiovasc Sci. 2021; 34(2):159-167)