Premature Death from Stroke and Socioeconomic Status in Argentina

pp. 114-119

Abstract

Background: The association between stroke mortality and socioeconomic status has been scarcely described in Argentina. The evaluation of the temporal trends of early death from stroke and their relationship with socioeconomic status could be useful for public health to identify the most vulnerable groups.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to describe the temporal evolution of stroke mortality and its association with socioeconomic status in Argentina between 2000 and 2011.

Methods: A longitudinal ecological study was performed. Mortality was quantified by age and sex standardized rates and socioeconomic status by quintiles of unmet basic needs. The Argentine departments were the observation units. The association between mortality and socioeconomic status was assessed using a Poisson regression model for panel data.

Results: Stroke mortality progressively increased among quintiles of socioeconomic status (26.2, 28.4, 30.5, 34.5 and 36.9 per 100,000 persons, for quintiles 1 to 5, respectively, in 2000). Mortality in all socioeconomic status groups declined, though differences among them persisted (17.2, 18.5, 20.1, 22.1, and 25.3 per 100,000 persons, for quintiles 1 to 5, respectively, in 2011). The incidence rate ratios were 1.15 (95% CI 1.09 to 1.22; p<0.001), 1.27 (95% CI 1.21 to 1.34; p<0.001), 1.32 (95% CI 1.26 to 1.39; p<0.001) and 1.48 (95% CI 1.41 to 1.56; p<0.001), for quintiles 2 to 5, respectively.

Conclusions: Results suggest an inverse association between socioeconomic status and mortality from stroke. Moreover, the difference in mortality persisted among socioeconomic strata during the study period.