Gastric cancer and cerebrovascular diseases. A natural history with common elements? Analysis of the salt theory in Chile (1955-1994)
Valdivia, G.; Bastías, G.
Revista medica de Chile 127(9): 1041-1048
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0034-9887 PMID: 10752266 Document Number: 507846
In the last forty years, a sustained reduction in the gastric cancer and cerebrovascular disease mortality has been recorded. Joossens has postulated that sodium intake has an influence in the natural history of both diseases. To analyze the mortality caused by both diseases in Chile. The mortality of people aged 35 to 64 years old, due to gastric cancer and cerebrovascular diseases in the period 1955-1994, was analyzed. An analysis according to regions, using temporal series and correlation techniques was performed. In the studied period, the mortality due to gastric cancer decreased by 71.6% in men and by 79.5% in women. Mortality due to cerebrovascular diseases decreased by 56.9% in men and by 63.9% in women. There was a correlation coefficient of +0.91 between the mortality due to both diseases. Cerebrovascular disease mortality appears as a predictor of gastric cancer mortality in temporal series analysis. Joossens theories are supported by the present data. Prospective studies should be designed to confirm the hypothesis.