Coronary Morbidity and Mortality Estimates in the TEKHARF Survey of 2001

The last survey of the Turkish Adult Risk Factor Study, conducted in May, 2001, aimed, among other specific goals, to assess coronary morbidity and mortality in the last period. Similar epidemiological methods were applied as described previously. In a total of 1443 individuals of the cohort residing in the Marmara and Central Anatolian regions of Turkey, 1122 men and women were examined. Moreover information was obtained in 233 persons, and death was ascertained in 12 men and 5 women. Total follow-up exceeded 1500 person-years. Eleven new deaths of coronary origin were diagnosed. Annual all-cause mortality was estimated as 10.7 per mille, coronary mortality as 6.3 per mille. In the age-bracket 45-74 years, total mortality was 13.4 and coronary mortality 7.3 per mille. Total cases of annual new coronary heart disease (CHD) corresponded to 8.9 per mille. When compared to findings anticipated, this survey exhibited consistent ones with respect to total mortality. coronary mortality and new coronary events, but - though not reaching significance - excess findings in regard to CHD prevalence. This observation underlines once again the need for the urgent task of preventive cardiology in Turkey.