Evolution of all-causes and cardiovascular mortality in the age-group 75–84 years in Europe during the period 1970–1996. A comparison with worldwide changes

BACKGROUND: In spite of the increase in longevity in the past century, studies of mortality patterns in elderly populations are scarce. We investigated cardiovascular and all-cause mortality patterns in age-group 75-84 years in Europe in the period 1970-1996. Methods Mortality data for the age-group 75-84 years were obtained from WHO and standardized according to the old European population standard. Tables were produced showing mortality rates per country around the year 1995 and trends were calculated over the period 1970-1996 using linear regression analysis. Results In both men and women aged 75-84 all-cause and cardiovascular mortality rates were higher in Central and Eastern Europe compared with Western Europe. For the last 3 available years, all-cause mortality rates differed by a factor 2/2.5 (men, women) when comparing the country with the highest with that of the lowest rate. For total cardiovascular mortality this factor was about 4/5 (men, women). During the period 1970-1996, all-cause and total cardiovascular mortality rates declined in most European countries. The decline in all causes of mortality was almost exclusively due to a decline in total cardiovascular disease mortality, especially stroke. Increases in total cardiovascular mortality were observed in some central European countries and Greece. CONCLUSION: Major changes, mainly a decline, occurred in all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in subjects aged 75-84 in Europe. Therefore a passive attitude to health problems in the elderly is not warranted.