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Circulatory problems big killer in UAE

DUBAI — A study of mortality rates in Department of Health and Medical Services (Dohms) hospitals carried out by the Statistical Analysis Section has revealed that one-fourth of deaths (24.4 per cent) of Emiratis in the 2000-2006 period were due to diseases of the circulatory system.

The study also found that deaths due to cancer were (17.1 per cent), congenital anomalies and conditions originating in perinatal period (15.9 per cent), infectious and parasitic diseases (10.6 per cent), respiratory diseases (7.3 per cent), injuries and poisoning (4.7 per cent), and other causes of death (20 per cent).

It was also revealed that the mortality rate of Emirati nationals in Dohms hospitals was lower compared to the expatriate population, standing at 11.1 among Emirati population, and 12.5 per 1,000 discharges among expatriates.

“Research has confirmed that the rate of mortality in hospitals for certain procedures and conditions may be associated with quality of care. To assess the quality of health services, the crude hospital death rate needs to be calculated,” reveals the study.

Out of the 338,652 inpatients in Dohms during 2000-2006, it was possible to identify 4,099 deaths with a crude hospital mortality rate of 11.9/1000 discharges.

It was also revealed that among Emirate inpatients, cancer had the highest crude hospital mortality rate (117 per 1000 discharges, infection and parasitic diseases (74/1000), cardiovascular diseases (58/1000) congenital anomalies and conditions originating in perinatal period (22.8/1000), injuries and poisoning (14/1000) and respiratory disease 15 per 1000 discharges.

The study outlined that the standardised mortality ratio was 287.4. It was 228.2 for Dubai Hospital, 350 for Rashid Hospital and 489 for Al Wasl Hospital.

The study was carried out with the aim of studying the nature of mortality in Dohms hospitals while the information was collected from the electronic network of health information system in Dohms.