Trends in heart failure mortality in Poland between 1980 and 2010

INTRODUCTION Data regarding standardized trends in mortality from heart failure (HF) in the general population are limited. OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to evaluate trends in HF mortality in Poland in the years 1980-2010. PATIENTS AND METHODS An analysis of a database of mortality records from 1980-2010 based on National Statistics was performed. Mortality trends for HF by age and sex were analyzed by polynomial or linear regression. RESULTS Total crude numbers of HF deaths in 1980 were 21,519 and 23,008 for women and men, respectively, whereas, in 2010, there were 23,304 and 19,558. There was a significant change in mortality trends for HF, from a decline during the first phase of the study to an increase during the most recent years, 2005-2010 (P <0.005 for changes of trends for both sexes). The lowest value reached in 2005 constituted 47% and 41% of the baseline for women and men, respectively. These ratios increased to 59% and 52% in 2010. Stratification by age and sex brought similar results, with the exception of the youngest groups, which showed initial increases in the rates for the years 1980-1985. CONCLUSIONS There was a significant decline in the rates of HF mortality in the Polish population for both men and women, showing a maximal reduction of about 50% around 2005. However, between 2005 and 2010, a significant increase in the rates of HF mortality was observed (crude difference equaled 12% for women and 11% for men). It is unknown whether this is a temporary or permanent trend, and the issue requires further investigation.