Trends in the mortality of non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage in Colombia: a 10-year analysis of a nationwide registry

Abstract

Objective To assess trends in mortality from 1999 to 2008 resulting from non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in the Colombian population. Method This population-based study analyzed all deaths by assuming a Poisson model. Results Subarachnoid hemorrhage-related deaths showed a statistically significant increase of 1.6% per year (p<0.001). The age-standardized analysis demonstrated an increased mortality trend of 3.3% per year (p<0.001) in people older than 70 years, but a decreased mortality trend in people younger than 50. It remained stable in patients 50-69 years old. Conclusion The overall SAH-related mortality rate in Colombia has increased because increased mortality among the elderly has been counterbalanced by reduced mortality rates in younger age groups. These disparities may reflect epidemiologic transition, treatment inequities, or a less favorable comorbid profile.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage: mortality in a South American Country

“…Mortality rates vary widely across published epidemiological studies, ranging from 8% to 67% with a median mortality rate in the United States of 32% versus 43% in Europe and 27% in Japan14. In this issue of Arquivos de Neuropsiquiatria, Alcalá-Cerra et al 15 publish an important study which assessed the trends in mortality due to non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage from 1999 to 2008 in Colombia. The study was based on the analysis of all deaths in the country over this period, and data was obtained from the Colombian national registry of deaths.…”