The study's findings were published in JACC Journals (Q1; IF: 24), the world's top-rated cardiology journal.
The scientists, including Evgeny Plotnikov, Associate Professor at the Research School of Chemistry & Applied Biomedical Sciences of Tomsk Polytechnic University, collaborated internationally to study the global burden of disease. Specifically, they focused on cardiovascular pathologies. The global burden of disease refers to a set of indicators that measure mortality and disability resulting from major diseases, injuries, and risk factors. These indicators are estimated using complex regional or global medical population data.
The DALY (disability-adjusted life year) is used to measure disease burden. It calculates the number of years of healthy life lost due to premature death or disability caused by a particular disease. This method was used to assess the global burden of cardiovascular disease and its impact on population health.
The study was based on statistical data from various sources, including the WHO database, data from relevant ministries, and specialized studies. The collaborating experts further systematized the information using special programs and methods for processing population data. The results were then analyzed and interpreted by scientists from various countries involved in the collaboration. This allows for decentralized, detailed analysis of pathology parameters and risk factors, ensuring accurate generalization and conclusions. Finally, a central group of specialists summarized the data to create an overall picture of the world.
According to a worldwide integrative study, the Eastern European region (including Russia) has the highest mortality rate due to cardiovascular diseases at 432.3 people per 100,000 population. However, there are also positive aspects. The analysis of the process dynamics revealed a 35% decrease in mortality from total heart pathologies worldwide from 1990 to 2022. In Eastern Europe, the decrease was 24.3%. This indicates a steady decline in this indicator.
In Russia, the DALY indicator for complex cardiovascular diseases averages almost 9,000 years lost per 100,000 population. Men experience almost twice the loss of healthy years compared to women, which is consistent with the global trend. Specifically, the loss of healthy years per 100,000 male population per year is over 12,000 years, while for women it is almost 6,000 years.If we talk about Russia, it is one of the world leaders in total mortality due to cardiovascular pathologies. Among Eastern European countries, it ranks third in the DALY parameter, with a mortality rate of over 400 people per 100,000 population. Ischemic heart disease and ischemic stroke are the main contributors, accounting for about 70% of deaths from cardiovascular diseases. The analysis identified the primary risks of cardiovascular pathologies. There are several factors including hypertension, an unbalanced diet, high cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels, exposure to dust air pollution, high plasma glucose levels, smoking, and having an excessive body mass index
Our country supports the global trend in reducing mortality from cardiovascular diseases. The number of deaths due to cardiovascular pathologies among the Russian population has decreased by a quarter since 1990. This indicates that the country has taken significant steps in terms of healthcare development, fighting against these diseases, and promoting a healthy lifestyle," says Evgeny Plotnikov.