Abstract

LEAL-MATEOS, Manrique  and  ORTIZ-BARBOZA, Adolfo. Mortalidad por cáncer en la persona adulta mayor de Costa Rica. Acta méd. costarric [online]. 2005, vol.47, n.1, pp.43-46. ISSN 0001-6002.

Objective: Cancer mortality analysis in elderlys is still an important tool to identify associated risk factors. The goal of the present study is the analysis of mortality due to cancer in older adults during the year 2002 in Costa Rica. Methods: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study. The source of information was the database kept by the CPP-INEC. It was made available to us by the reference centers of the same institutions. The variables studied were: age, sex and place of residence of each deceased person. Besides, the anatomical location of the tumors was based on the International Classification of Diseases (I.C.D.-10). Through a direct adjustment of rates, we analyzed the mortality by region. Results: During the year 2002, 3,167 cancer deaths were registered in Costa Rica. Of these, 1,960 (61.8%) happened in people older than age 65. 58.2% (n= 1,141) were among males and 41.8% (n=819) among females. Prostate cancer showed the highest mortality rate. By calculating the province-adjusted mortality rates, the province of Cartago showed the highest rates. Discussion: 61.8% of all the deaths due to cancer in Costa Rica occurred in the elderly adult population. This result is important if we consider the cost which the attention of this type of patient represents for the health services. The risk of death due to cancer is considerably greater after 65 years of age. Therefore, the reduction of mortality must be achieved by means of preventive programs of lower cost and which must be developed at younger ages.

Keywords : Mortalidad; cáncer; adulto mayor.