Causes of Death during the First COVID-19 Pandemic Wave in Italy: A Comparison with Some European Countries

Studies comparing cause-of-death patterns across countries during the COVID-19 outbreak are still lacking although such studies would contribute to understanding of direct and indirect effect virus on mortality. In this report, we compare mortality pattern observed in Italy first pandemic wave (March–April 2020) with that some European countries. We calculated cause-specific, age-standardized ratios (SMR) for Spain, England, Sweden two mentioned months from 2016 2020, using already published data. Although presented highest crude overall rate (267 per 100,000 population), age-adjusted showed all-cause were higher than but lower other Some causes had a similar increase 2020 compared previous years all countries, i.e., endocrine diseases (especially diabetes), dementia Alzheimer’s (in general mental disorders), hypertensive heart diseases. Conversely, respiratory diseases, particular pneumonia influenza, increased greater extent Italy. This latter result could be, part, related underreporting death certificates period pandemic, when was country severely hit by virus.