Kim E, Baek J, Kim M, Lee H, Bae JW, Kim HC. Trends in Regional Disparity in Cardiovascular Mortality in Korea, 1983–2019.
Korean Circ J 2022;
52:829-843. [PMID:
36347519 PMCID:
PMC9643572 DOI:
10.4070/kcj.2022.0156]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Mortality from cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) had been significantly improved in several decades. However, the recent reduction was slowed down, and the burden remained high. Understanding regional disparity in cardiovascular deaths would help facilitate the improvement. Thus, we investigated geographic variation in CVD mortality and its spatiotemporal trend in Korea between 1983 and 2019. The findings showed higher mortality in the southeastern regions, while the regional disparity converged over time. It suggested that these regions call for action in terms of prevention and management of CVDs, in addition to an effort to reduce the death rates in other regions.
Background and Objectives
Despite remarkable reduction in cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality, the burden has remained the leading cause of death. Since little research has focused on regional disparity in CVD mortality, this study aims to investigate its spatiotemporal trends in Korea from 1983 to 2019.
Methods
Using the causes of death statistics in Korea, we analyzed the geographic variation in deaths from CVDs from 1983 to 2019. The sex and age-standardized mortality rate was calculated according to the 17 administrative regions. The analyses include all diseases of the circulatory system (International Classification of Diseases-10 codes, I00–I99), along with the following 6 subcategories which were not mutually exclusive: total heart disease (I00–I13 and I20–I51), hypertensive heart disease (I10–I13), ischemic heart disease (I20–I25), myocardial infarction (I21–I23), heart failure (I50), and cerebrovascular disease (I60–I69).
Results
Overall, heart failure death rate increased across all regions, and other CVD death rates showed a decreasing trend. Regional disparity in mortality was substantial in the early 1980s but converged over time. In all types of cardiovascular mortality, Busan, Ulsan and Gyeongnam remained the highest, although they showed a downward trend like other regions. Jeju continued to have a relatively low CVD mortality rate.
Conclusions
The regional disparity substantially decreased compared to the 1980s. However, the relatively high burden of CVD mortality in the southeastern region has not been fully resolved.
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