General and COVID-19-Related Mortality by Pre-Existing Chronic Conditions and Care Setting during 2020 in Emilia-Romagna Region, Italy

Nicola Caranci, Chiara Di Girolamo, Letizia Bartolini, Daniela Fortuna, Elena Berti, Stefano Sforza, Paolo Giorgi Rossi and Maria Luisa Moro
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Nicola Caranci: Regional Health and Social Care Agency, Emilia-Romagna Region, 40127 Bologna, Italy
Chiara Di Girolamo: Regional Health and Social Care Agency, Emilia-Romagna Region, 40127 Bologna, Italy
Letizia Bartolini: Regional Health and Social Care Agency, Emilia-Romagna Region, 40127 Bologna, Italy
Daniela Fortuna: Regional Health and Social Care Agency, Emilia-Romagna Region, 40127 Bologna, Italy
Elena Berti: Regional Health and Social Care Agency, Emilia-Romagna Region, 40127 Bologna, Italy
Stefano Sforza: Regional Health and Social Care Agency, Emilia-Romagna Region, 40127 Bologna, Italy
Paolo Giorgi Rossi: Epidemiology Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy
Maria Luisa Moro: Regional Health and Social Care Agency, Emilia-Romagna Region, 40127 Bologna, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 24, 1-11

Abstract: In 2020, the number of deaths increased in Italy, mainly because of the COVID-19 pandemic; mortality was among the highest in Europe, with a clear heterogeneity among regions and socio-demographic strata. The present work aims to describe trends in mortality and to quantify excess mortality variability over time and in relation to demographics, pre-existent chronic conditions and care setting of the Emilia-Romagna region (Northern Italy). This is a registry-based cross-sectional study comparing the 2020 observed mortality with figures of the previous five years by age, sex, month, place of death, and chronicity. It includes 300,094 deaths in those 18 years of age and above resident in the Emilia-Romagna region. Excess deaths were higher during the first pandemic wave, particularly among men and in March. Age-adjusted risk was similar among both men and women (Mortality Rate Ratio 1.15; IC95% 1.14–1.16). It was higher among females aged 75+ years and varied between sub-periods. Excluding COVID-19 related deaths, differences in the risk of dying estimates tended to disappear. Metabolic and neuropsychiatric diseases were more prevalent among those that deceased in 2020 compared to the deaths that occurred in 2015–2019 and therefore can be confirmed as elements of increased frailty, such as being in long-term care facilities or private homes as the place of death. Understanding the impact of the pandemic on mortality considering frailties is relevant in a changing scenario.

Keywords: COVID-19; mortality excess; chronic conditions; care setting; Italy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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