Estimation of burden of ischemic heart diseases in Isfahan, Iran, 2014: using incompleteness and misclassification adjustment models

BACKGROUND Over the past decade, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have been the leading cause of death in the world. Ischemic heart diseases (IHDs) are the main form of CVDs and are the most important single cause of death around the world. This study aimed to estimate the burden of IHDs in the city of Isfahan by calculating disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). METHODS This population-based study was conducted on the population living in the city of Isfahan in 2014. Years of life lost due to premature mortality (YLLs) were calculated by multiplying the number of deaths due to IHDs (that was collected from death registration system (DRS) and was adjusted for incompleteness and misclassification) with life expectancy (that was extracted from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors study (GBD) 2013). Years lived with disability (YLDs) were calculated by multiplying the prevalent cases of IHDs in each age-sex group (that was calculated using the stepwise approach to non-communicable disease risk factor surveillance (STEPS)) with total disability weight of IHDs (that was calculated using the GBD 2013). DALYs were calculated as the sum of YLDs and YLLs. RESULTS In 2014, the number of DALYs due to IHDs was 43517.71 years which was formed of 31891.79 years of YLLs and 11625.92 years of YLDs. The rate of DALYs due to IHDs was 4412.33 (95% uncertainty interval (UI): 3636.70-5162.72) person-years per 100,000 persons in males and 3476.66 (95% UI: 2948.95-4010.51) person-years per 100,000 persons in females. The highest rates of YLLs, YLDs, and DALYs due to IHDs in both sexes were occurred in 80 years and older. CONCLUSIONS The highest proportion of the burden of IHDs in the city of Isfahan was attributed to YLLs in the elderly people. Since the majority of the population of Isfahan is <60 years old and IHDs are long-lasting, the health authorities are recommended to design and implement educational and cultural programs to inform people about the risk factors and the methods to prevent these diseases. These programs can be used as a strategy to reduce the incidence of IHDs from an early age.