Mortality and coronary events in the Turkish Adult Risk Factor Survey 2006: Mortality is declining in women whereas overall prevalence of coronary heart disease

OBJECTIVES
We analyzed all-cause and coronary mortality, incidence and prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) in a cohort of the Turkish Adult Risk Factor Study which was surveyed in the summer of 2006 essentially in geographic regions other than Marmara and Middle Anatolia.

STUDY DESIGN
The survey consisted of 1585 participants (776 men, 809 women; mean age 55.3±11.8 years), accounting for 49% of all living participants of the overall cohort. Information on death was obtained from first-degree relatives and/or health personnel of local health offices. Survivors were evaluated by history, physical examination, and 12-lead electrocardiography. New coronary event was defined as fatal or nonfatal myocardial infarction, new stable angina, and/or myocardial ischemia that had occurred after the former survey.

RESULTS
Of the participants, 946 were examined, 599 subjects were evaluated on the basis of information gathered, and 40 deaths (27 men, 13 women) were documented. Cumulative follow-up of the survey starting from 1990 increased to 45,490 person-years with the addition of 2,842 person-years. Fifteen deaths were attributed to CHD. Annual overall mortality and coronary mortality rates were 14.1 and 5.1 per 1000 adults, respectively. In the 45 to 74 years age bracket, overall mortality declined to 10.9 (p=0.09) and coronary mortality to 5.6 per thousand. A decreasing trend in mortality was pronounced in women. The mean age at death increased to 67.1 years in men, and to 75.9 years in women. The prevalences of CHD were found to be 3%, 11%, and 27% in age groups of 39-49, 50-59, and ≥60 years, respectively, which corresponded to an estimated population of 2.75 million.

CONCLUSION
In the 45 to 74 years age bracket, overall and coronary deaths show a decreasing trend, particularly in women, which extends the mean age at death. However, the prevalence of CHD specific to age groups continues to rise, as well.