-
PLoS Medicine Jul 2010The quality and quantity of individuals' social relationships has been linked not only to mental health but also to both morbidity and mortality. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
The quality and quantity of individuals' social relationships has been linked not only to mental health but also to both morbidity and mortality.
OBJECTIVES
This meta-analytic review was conducted to determine the extent to which social relationships influence risk for mortality, which aspects of social relationships are most highly predictive, and which factors may moderate the risk.
DATA EXTRACTION
Data were extracted on several participant characteristics, including cause of mortality, initial health status, and pre-existing health conditions, as well as on study characteristics, including length of follow-up and type of assessment of social relationships.
RESULTS
Across 148 studies (308,849 participants), the random effects weighted average effect size was OR = 1.50 (95% CI 1.42 to 1.59), indicating a 50% increased likelihood of survival for participants with stronger social relationships. This finding remained consistent across age, sex, initial health status, cause of death, and follow-up period. Significant differences were found across the type of social measurement evaluated (p<0.001); the association was strongest for complex measures of social integration (OR = 1.91; 95% CI 1.63 to 2.23) and lowest for binary indicators of residential status (living alone versus with others) (OR = 1.19; 95% CI 0.99 to 1.44).
CONCLUSIONS
The influence of social relationships on risk for mortality is comparable with well-established risk factors for mortality. Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary.
Topics: Cardiovascular Diseases; Cause of Death; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Mortality; Neoplasms; Risk; Social Support
PubMed: 20668659
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1000316 -
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Aug 2012Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) may directly result in morbidity and rarely mortality from complications such as colorectal cancer or sepsis. Mortality... (Review)
Review
Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) may directly result in morbidity and rarely mortality from complications such as colorectal cancer or sepsis. Mortality rates compared with the matched general population, measured by standardized mortality ratio, may therefore be increased. This review examines the evidence derived from cohort- and population-based mortality studies. In CD the majority of studies and two meta-analyses demonstrated increased standardized mortality ratios of ≈ 1.5-fold, especially for those diagnosed at younger ages and requiring extensive or multiple resection surgery. In UC mortality rates are similar to those of the general population in most studies and a meta-analysis. Proctocolectomy removes the inflammatory burden of UC and can manage colorectal dysplasia but may result in perioperative complications. There is no clear temporal trend of improvement in survival for either CD or UC. Few data are available from countries outside Europe and North America, so geographical influences remain largely unknown.
Topics: Humans; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Mortality
PubMed: 22275300
DOI: 10.1002/ibd.22871 -
Fish Physiology and Biochemistry Feb 2012Mortality has received insufficient attention as a fish welfare topic. Here, we aim to prompt fish farming stakeholders to discuss fish mortalities in relation to... (Review)
Review
Mortality has received insufficient attention as a fish welfare topic. Here, we aim to prompt fish farming stakeholders to discuss fish mortalities in relation to welfare. Mortality in farmed fish populations is due to a variety of biotic and abiotic causes, although it is often difficult to differentiate between underlying and immediate causes of mortality. Most mortality appears to occur during episodes associated with disease outbreaks and critical periods (in development or production). Most causes of mortality can be assumed to be associated with suffering prior to death. As mortality rates in farmed fish populations are suspected to rank amongst the highest in commonly farmed vertebrate species, mortality should be a principal fish welfare issue. Long-term mortality rates can be used as a retrospective welfare performance indicator and short-term mortality rates as an operational welfare indicator. Scrutiny of mortality records and determining causes of death will enable action to be taken to avoid further preventable mortality. The welfare performance of fish farms should only be judged on levels of predictable and preventable mortality. Fish farmers will already be monitoring mortality due to commercial and legal requirements. As profitability in fish farming is directly linked to survival, confronting mortality should ultimately benefit both fish and farmers.
Topics: Animal Welfare; Animals; Fisheries; Fishes; Mortality
PubMed: 21922247
DOI: 10.1007/s10695-011-9547-3 -
Journal of Hypertension Dec 2011Raised blood pressure (BP) is responsible for 7.6 million deaths per annum worldwide (13.5% of the total), more than any other risk factors. Around 54% of stroke and 47%... (Review)
Review
Raised blood pressure (BP) is responsible for 7.6 million deaths per annum worldwide (13.5% of the total), more than any other risk factors. Around 54% of stroke and 47% of coronary heart disease are attributable to high BP. Over 80% of this burden occurs in low and middle income countries (LMIC). BP and cardiovascular mortality are rising rapidly in LMIC. Although age-specific BP and cardiovascular mortality are falling in developed nations, the overall number of cardiovascular death continues to rise in accord with the rapid aging of societies. Because of the continuous relationship between BP and cardiovascular deaths down to 115/75 mmHg, BP-related disease also contributes to cardiovascular death among people below the hypertensive threshold of 140/90 mmHg. Hypertension remains "the silent killer". Reductions in the burden of BP-related death require the parallel application of the population strategy at community level and the clinical strategy focusing on new and improved treatments for people with hypertension.
Topics: Humans; Hypertension; Mortality
PubMed: 22157565
DOI: 10.1097/01.hjh.0000410246.59221.b1 -
Journal of Medical Primatology Jun 2017We present the spontaneous causes of mortality for 137 chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) over a 35-year period. A record review of the pathology database was performed and a... (Review)
Review
We present the spontaneous causes of mortality for 137 chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) over a 35-year period. A record review of the pathology database was performed and a primary cause of mortality was determined for each chimpanzee. The most common causes of mortality were as follows: cardiomyopathy (40% of all mortalities), stillbirth/abortion, acute myocardial necrosis, chimpanzee-induced trauma, amyloidosis, and pneumonia. Five morphologic diagnoses accounted for 61% of mortalities: cardiomyopathy, hemorrhage, acute myocardial necrosis, amyloidosis, and pneumonia. The most common etiologies were degenerative, undetermined, bacterial, traumatic, and neoplastic. The cardiovascular system was most frequently involved, followed by the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and multisystemic diseases. Degenerative diseases were the primary etiological cause of mortality of the adult captive chimpanzee population. Chimpanzee-induced trauma was the major etiological cause of mortality among the perinatal and infant population. This information should be a useful resource for veterinarians and researchers working with chimpanzees.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Laboratory; Ape Diseases; Cause of Death; Male; Pan troglodytes; Texas
PubMed: 28418090
DOI: 10.1111/jmp.12267 -
The Lancet. Global Health Jun 2014Data for the causes of maternal deaths are needed to inform policies to improve maternal health. We developed and analysed global, regional, and subregional estimates of... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Data for the causes of maternal deaths are needed to inform policies to improve maternal health. We developed and analysed global, regional, and subregional estimates of the causes of maternal death during 2003-09, with a novel method, updating the previous WHO systematic review.
METHODS
We searched specialised and general bibliographic databases for articles published between between Jan 1, 2003, and Dec 31, 2012, for research data, with no language restrictions, and the WHO mortality database for vital registration data. On the basis of prespecified inclusion criteria, we analysed causes of maternal death from datasets. We aggregated country level estimates to report estimates of causes of death by Millennium Development Goal regions and worldwide, for main and subcauses of death categories with a Bayesian hierarchical model.
FINDINGS
We identified 23 eligible studies (published 2003-12). We included 417 datasets from 115 countries comprising 60 799 deaths in the analysis. About 73% (1 771 000 of 2 443 000) of all maternal deaths between 2003 and 2009 were due to direct obstetric causes and deaths due to indirect causes accounted for 27·5% (672 000, 95% UI 19·7-37·5) of all deaths. Haemorrhage accounted for 27·1% (661 000, 19·9-36·2), hypertensive disorders 14·0% (343 000, 11·1-17·4), and sepsis 10·7% (261 000, 5·9-18·6) of maternal deaths. The rest of deaths were due to abortion (7·9% [193 000], 4·7-13·2), embolism (3·2% [78 000], 1·8-5·5), and all other direct causes of death (9·6% [235 000], 6·5-14·3). Regional estimates varied substantially.
INTERPRETATION
Between 2003 and 2009, haemorrhage, hypertensive disorders, and sepsis were responsible for more than half of maternal deaths worldwide. More than a quarter of deaths were attributable to indirect causes. These analyses should inform the prioritisation of health policies, programmes, and funding to reduce maternal deaths at regional and global levels. Further efforts are needed to improve the availability and quality of data related to maternal mortality.
Topics: Cause of Death; Female; Global Health; Humans; Maternal Mortality; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; World Health Organization
PubMed: 25103301
DOI: 10.1016/S2214-109X(14)70227-X -
International Journal of Environmental... Jun 2023(1) Background: Infant mortality is viewed as a core health indicator of overall community health. Although globally child survival has improved significantly over the...
(1) Background: Infant mortality is viewed as a core health indicator of overall community health. Although globally child survival has improved significantly over the years, Sub-Saharan Africa is still the region with the highest infant mortality in the world. In Ethiopia, infant mortality is still high, albeit substantial progress has been made in the last few decades. However, there is significant inequalities in infant mortalities in Ethiopia. Understanding the main sources of inequalities in infant mortalities would help identify disadvantaged groups, and develop equity-directed policies. Thus, the purpose of the study was to provide a diagnosis of inequalities of infant mortalities in Ethiopia from four dimensions of inequalities (sex, residence type, mother's education, and household wealth). (2) Methods: Data disaggregated by infant mortalities and infant mortality inequality dimensions (sex, residence type, mother's education, and household wealth) from the WHO Health Equity Monitor Database were used. Data were based on Ethiopia's Demographic and Health Surveys (EDHS) of 2000 ( = 14,072), 2005 ( = 14,500), 2011 ( = 17,817), and 2016 ( = 16,650) households. We used the WHO Health Equity Assessment Toolkit (HEAT) software to find estimates of infant mortalities along with inequality measures. (3) Results: Inequalities related to sex, residence type, mother's education, and household wealth still exist; however, differences in infant mortalities arising from residence type, mother's education, and household wealth were narrowing with the exception of sex-related inequality where male infants were markedly at a disadvantage. (4) Conclusions: Although inequalities of infant mortalities related to social groups still exist, there is a substantial sex related infant mortality inequality with disproportional deaths of male infants. Efforts directed at reducing infant mortality in Ethiopia should focus on improving the survival of male infants.
Topics: Humans; Infant; Male; Educational Status; Ethiopia; Health Equity; Health Surveys; Infant Mortality; Socioeconomic Factors; Female
PubMed: 37372655
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20126068 -
The British Journal of Psychiatry : the... Jul 1998We describe the increased risk of premature death from natural and from unnatural causes for the common mental disorders. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
We describe the increased risk of premature death from natural and from unnatural causes for the common mental disorders.
METHOD
With a Medline search (1966-1995) we found 152 English language reports on the mortality of mental disorder which met our inclusion criteria. From these reports, covering 27 mental disorder categories and eight treatment categories, we calculated standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for all causes of death, all natural causes and all unnatural causes; and for most, SMRs for suicide, other violent causes and specific natural causes.
RESULTS
Highest risks of premature death, from both natural and unnatural causes, are for substance abuse and eating disorders. Risk of death from unnatural causes is especially high for the functional disorders, particularly schizophrenia and major depression. Deaths from natural causes are markedly increased for organic mental disorders, mental retardation and epilepsy.
CONCLUSION
All mental disorders have an increased risk of premature death.
Topics: Cause of Death; Female; Humans; Male; Mental Disorders; Risk Factors; Survival Analysis; Survival Rate
PubMed: 9850203
DOI: 10.1192/bjp.173.1.11 -
Nursing Research 2020Although prior studies of inpatient maternal mortality in the United States provide data on the overall rate and trend in inpatient maternal mortality, there are no...
BACKGROUND
Although prior studies of inpatient maternal mortality in the United States provide data on the overall rate and trend in inpatient maternal mortality, there are no published reports of maternal mortality data stratified by timing of its occurrence across the pregnancy continuum (antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum).
OBJECTIVE
The study objective was to determine whether the maternal mortality rate, trends over time, self-reported race/ethnicity, and associated factors vary based on the timing of the occurrence of death during pregnancy.
METHODS
We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database to identify pregnancy-related inpatient stays stratified by timing. Among women in the sample, we determined in-hospital mortality and used International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes to identify comorbidities and behavioral characteristics associated with mortality, including alcohol, drug, and tobacco use. Joinpoint regression was used to calculate rates and trends of in-hospital maternal mortality.
RESULTS
During the study period, there were 7,411 inpatient maternal mortalities among an estimated 58,742,179 hospitalizations of women 15-49 years of age. In-hospital maternal mortality rate stratified by race showed that African Americans died at significantly higher rates during antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum periods compared to hospitalizations for Whites or Hispanics during the same time period. Although the postpartum hospitalization represents only 2% of pregnancy-related hospitalizations among women aged 15-49 years, hospitalization during this time period accounted for 27.2% of all maternal deaths during pregnancy-related hospitalization.
DISCUSSION
Most in-hospital maternal mortalities occur after hospital discharge from child birth (postpartum period). Yet, the postpartum period continues to be the time period with the least maternal healthcare surveillance in the pregnancy continuum. African American women experience three times more in-hospital mortality when compared to their White counterparts.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Forecasting; Hospital Mortality; Humans; Maternal Mortality; Middle Aged; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Time Factors; United States; Young Adult
PubMed: 31609900
DOI: 10.1097/NNR.0000000000000397 -
International Journal of Health... Jan 2021This population-based study compares U.S. effectiveness with 20 Other Western Countries (OWC) in reducing mortality 1989-1991 and 2013-2015 and, responding to criticisms...
This population-based study compares U.S. effectiveness with 20 Other Western Countries (OWC) in reducing mortality 1989-1991 and 2013-2015 and, responding to criticisms of Britain's National Health Service, directly compares U.S. with U.K. child (0-4), adult (55-74), and 24 global mortality categories. World Health Organization Age-Standardized Death Rates (ASDR) data are used to compare American and OWC mortality over the period, juxtaposed against national average percentages of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Expenditure on Health (%GDPEH) drawn from World Bank data. America's average %GDPEH was highest at 13.53% and Britain's the lowest at 7.68%. Every OWC had significantly greater ASDR reductions than America. Current U.S. child and adult mortality rates are 46% and 19% higher than Britain's. Of 24 global diagnostic mortalities, America had 16 higher rates than Britain, notably for Circulatory Disease (24%), Endocrine Disorders (70%), External Deaths (53%), Genitourinary (44%), Infectious Disease (65%), and Perinatal Deaths (34%). Conversely, U.S. rates were than Britain's for Neoplasms (11%), Respiratory (12%), and Digestive Disorder Deaths (11%). However, had America matched the United Kingdom's ASDR, there would have been 488,453 fewer U.S. deaths. In view of American %GDPHE and their mortality rates, which were significantly higher than those of the OWC, these results suggests that the U.S. health care system is the least efficient in the Western world.
Topics: Adult; Child; Communicable Diseases; Female; Health Expenditures; Humans; Mortality; Pregnancy; State Medicine; United Kingdom; United States; World Health Organization
PubMed: 33059529
DOI: 10.1177/0020731420965130