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Lookup NU author(s): Professor Julia Critchley
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Background: Coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality rates in Ireland have halved since the mid-1980s, and adult life expectancy has also steadily improved. This study estimated the life-years-gained by CHD treatments and by changes in cardiovascular risk factor levels. Methods: A previously validated Irish IMPACT CHD mortality model was used to integrate large amounts of data on (i) patient numbers, (ii) treatment uptake, (iii) risk factor trends, (iv) effectiveness of cardiology treatments and risk factor reductions, and (v) median survival in patients with and without CHD, all stratified by age and sex. Results were tested in rigorous sensitivity analyses. Results: There were 3763 fewer CHD deaths than expected in 2000 compared with the base year, 1985. This resulted in ∼44 060 life-years-gained among people aged 25-84. Specific medical and surgical treatments given in 2000 for CHD patients together gained ∼14 505 life-years. Population changes in cholesterol and smoking levels accounted for some 32 705 life-years-gained, 66% from reductions in cholesterol alone. Adverse changes in obesity and diabetes resulted in a loss of ∼3670 life-years. Conclusions: Use of modern cardiology treatments in Ireland from 1985 to 2000 gained many thousands of life-years. However, twice as many life-years were generated by relatively modest reductions in major risk factors. Effective policies, such as the promotion of healthy diets, and weight reduction, together with the recent nationwide workplace smoking ban, will be essential to maintain and further enhance health gain. © The Author 2006. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Public Health Association. All rights reserved.
Author(s): Kabir Z, Bennett K, Shelley E, Unal B, Critchley J, Feely J, Capewell S
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: European Journal of Public Health
Year: 2007
Volume: 17
Issue: 2
Pages: 193-198
Print publication date: 01/04/2007
ISSN (print): 1101-1262
ISSN (electronic): 1464-360X
Publisher: Oxford University Press
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckl090
DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckl090
PubMed id: 16798782
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