Mortality from ischaemic heart disease in Poland in 1991-1996 estimated by the coding system used since 1997.

Abstract

An increase in the IHD mortality rate in Poland in 1996-1999 noted by CSO was an apparent phenomenon resulting from inaccuracies in coding death causes before 1997. These inaccuracies were mainly related to IHD, atherosclerosis and cerebrovascular disease. Our method enabled correction of the number of deaths between 1991 and 1996, yielding figures much closer to the real ones. Using this method, it is also possible to assess long-term mortality trends, including evaluation of the effectiveness of different methods of treatment and prevention. In particular, it also refers to the use of the IMPACT model to analyse reasons of changes in IHD mortality in Poland.