Trends in mortality related to pulmonary embolism in the European Region, 2000-15: analysis of vital registration data from the WHO Mortality Database

Background European estimates of the burden imposed by pulmonary embolism are not available to this date. We aimed to assess pulmonary embolism-related mortality and time trends in the WHO European Region. Methods We analysed vital registration data from the WHO Mortality Database (2000–15) covering subregions of the WHO European Region: Eastern Europe, Northern Europe, Southern Europe, Western Europe, and Central Asia. Deaths were considered pulmonary embolism-related if International Classification of Disease-10 code for acute pulmonary embolism (I26) or any code for deep or superficial vein thrombosis was listed as the primary cause of death. We used locally estimated scatterplot smoothing weighted by size of the Member State population to calculate proportionate mortality and time trends in age-standardised mortality. Findings In the 3-year period between 2013 and 2015, an average of 38 929 pulmonary embolism-related deaths occurred annually in the 41 Member States with available data and a population of 650 950 921; among individuals aged 15–55 years, pulmonary embolism accounted for 8–13 per 1000 deaths in women and 2–7 per 1000 deaths in men. Between 2000 and 2015, age-standardised annual pulmonary embolism-related mortality rates decreased linearly from 12·8 (95% CI 11·4–14·2) to 6·5 (5·3–7·7) deaths per 100 000 population without substantial sex-specific differences. Interpretation The observed decreasing trends in pulmonary embolism-related mortality might reflect improved management of the disease, in line with case fatality data from cohort studies. Additional, or alternative, explanations might include the absence of a uniform case definition and changes in coding practices and performing autopsy. Pulmonary embolism still imposes a relevant medical and societal burden. Continuing efforts are warranted to improve awareness and implement effective preventive and therapeutic measures.