Eduardo Nagib Gaui et al. Carlos Henrique Klein Gláucia Maria Moraes de Oliveira
BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) is a chronic disease with high prevalence and mortality rates. The mortality due to HF in Brazil has been studied more frequently using hospitalization data. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the mortality rates due to HF by sex and age range, in three states of Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Rio Grande do Sul, from 1999 to 2005. METHODS: The data were obtained from death certificates assessed in the three states. The mortality due to HF was assessed in the restricted (underlying cause of death), comprehensive (mentioned in any line of the death certificate) and extended (all codes with the presence of HF) forms. RESULTS: The specific rates of mortality presented a clear decrease trend in the age groups, except in the group aged 80 years or older. The rates increased with age and were clearly higher among men up to 80 years of age. The rates of mortality due to HF were 3-fold higher in the comprehensive than in the restricted form of analysis. The extended form of analysis also added 20% of deaths in which HF was present. CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrated a decrease trend in the mortality rates due to HF when considering the three states – around 43% of Brazil – from 1999 to 2005. The methodology of multiple causes of death, in addition to the underlying ones, allows us to present a more comprehensive dimension of the importance of HF as cause of death. The adequate selection of the codes of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), which comprehend the totality of the HF phenomenon, remains a challenge for further studies.