Morbidity, mortality, and lethality of the Russian population due to respiratory diseases for 2016–2021 and COVID-19 for 2020–2021

Introduction. The impact of the epidemic circulation of the novel coronavirus respiratory infection on the Russian population in terms of morbidity, mortality and lethality from respiratory diseases (RD) and consequent social damage requires an in-depth study. Objective. The study set out to compare the morbidity, mortality and lethality dynamics of the total population of the Russian Federation due to respiratory diseases (RD) in 2016–2021 and COVID-19 in 2020–2021. Materials and methods. The study was based on official statistical information provided by the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Russian Federal State Statistics Service and Russian Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare on the morbidity and mortality of the population due to RD (codes J00-J98 in accordance with the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th edition (ICD-10). The data for 2020–2021 are compared with the average morbidity and mortality rates of the Russian population for 2016–2019. Statistical data processing was carried out using Statistica software, version 10, and Epi5 (WHO), version 7. When comparing the indicators, the relative risk, 95% confidence interval, and Matel-Hansel2 were calculated. The differences were considered to be significant at p < 0.05. Results. The primary and general morbidity and mortality from RD in the Russian population in 2020–2021 exceeded the average levels of similar indicators for 2016–2019. The increase in indicators was associated with a larger number of patients presenting with pneumonia, as well as interstitial and suppurative lung diseases. This was accompanied by an increase in hospital mortality and lethality due to RD and COVID-19 in 2020–2021. Conclusions. The epidemic circulation of the new coronavirus infection was accompanied by a significant increase in the morbidity and mortality of the population from RD.