Life Expectancy Changes Due to Chronic Causes of Death in the Elderly. Mexico 2000-2013

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the contribution of the main causes of death due to chronic diseases (chd) to the temporary life expectancy between 60-100 years of age in Mexico during 2000-2013. Mate- rials and Methods: National oficial registries of deaths, by age groups, were used. The considered causes of death were: diabetes (dm), ischemic heart disease (ihd), cerebrovascular disease (cd), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (copd), cirrhosis and other chronic liver diseases (ccld), and hypertensive diseases (hd). Standardized mortality rates were calculated using the national population (2010) as standard and life tables to obtain the change and contribution to life expectancy. Results: The highest mortality rates were due to dm and ihd with a tendency to increase; the biggest rise in mortality was due to hd; and the rates due to cd and ccld were reduced. Gains in life expectancy were presented due to cd, copd and ccld, but were cancelled by the mortality increase by dm, ihd and hd. The gains in life expectancy in males presented mainly between 60-79 years of age due to cd, ccld and copd; for women the decrease in mortality was mainly due to cd in all ages. The causes of death with a negative impact in males were dm (65-84 years) and ihd (80-94 years); for women dm (70-89 years), hd and ihd (80-94 years of age). Conclusions: The CHD will continue to be prominent in the epidemiological profile in the country. It’s essential to implement preventive actions on modifiable risk factors common to those diseases.