Effects of inappropriate cause-of-death certification on mortality from cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus in Tonga.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes mellitus are major health issues in Tonga and other Pacific countries, although mortality levels and trends are unclear. We assess the impacts of cause-of-death certification on coding of CVD and diabetes as underlying causes of death (UCoD).

Methods

Tongan records containing cause-of-death data (2001-2018), including medical certificates of cause-of-death (MCCD), had UCoD assigned according to International Classification of Diseases 10th revision (ICD-10) coding rules. Deaths without recorded cause were included to ascertain total mortality. Diabetes and hypertension causes were reallocated from Part 1 of the MCCD (direct cause) to Part 2 (contributory cause) if potentially fatal complications were not recorded, and an a

SUBMITTER: Figueroa CA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10691179 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature