Association between population density and reported incidence, characteristics and outcome after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Sweden

• To describe the reported incidence of out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and the characteristics and outcome after OHCA in relation to population density in Sweden. Methods All patients participating in the Swedish Cardiac Arrest Register between 2008 and 2009 in (a) 20 of 21 regions (n = 6457) and in (b) 165 of 292 municipalities (n = 3522) in Sweden, took part in the survey. Results The regional population density varied between 3 and 310 inhabitants per km2 in 2009. In 2008–2009, the number of reported cardiac arrests varied between 13 and 52 per 100,000 inhabitants and year. Survival to 1 month varied between 2% and 14% during the same period in different regions. With regard to population density, based on municipalities, bystander CPR (p = 0.04) as well as cardiac etiology (p = 0.002) were more frequent in less populated areas. Ambulance response time was longer in less populated areas (p < 0.0001). There was no significant association between population density and survival to 1 month after OHCA or incidence (adjusted for age and gender) of OHCA. Conclusion There was no significant association between population density and survival to 1 month after OHCA or incidence (adjusted for age and gender) of OHCA. However, bystander CPR, cardiac etiology and longer response times were more frequent in less populated areas.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Hälso- och sjukvårdsorganisation, hälsopolitik och hälsoekonomi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Health Care Service and Management, Health Policy and Services and Health Economy (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

cardiac arrest

population density

survival

characteristics

Prehospen

Integrated Caring Science

Integrerad vårdutveckling

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ref (ämneskategori)

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