Trends in Myocardial Infarction Morbidity and Mortality from Ischemic Heart Disease in Middle-Aged Lithuanian Population from 2000 to 2023: Data from Population-Based Kaunas Ischemic Heart Disease Register

<i>Background and Objectives</i>: Over the past decades, various epidemiological analyses have reported a significant decrease in the number of deaths related to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Trends in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) morbidity and mortality from ischemic heart disease (IHD) were less studied in Eastern and Central Europe. This study aimed to determine and evaluate changes in AMI morbidity and mortality from IHD among the middle-aged urban Lithuanian population during 2000-2023. <i>Materials and Methods</i>: The data source was the Kaunas ischemic heart disease registry for residents aged 25-64. The diagnosis of AMI was based on the proposed epidemiological criteria used in the WHO MONICA project protocol. Age-standardized morbidity and mortality rates were calculated per 100,000 population. The changes in morbidity and mortality rates were calculated using the Joinpoint regression analysis method, and changes presented as a percentage estimate per year. <i>Results</i>: During 2000-2023, it was observed that age-standardized AMI morbidity significantly changed in the 25-64-year-old male and female population (-1.3%/yr., <i>p</i> = 0.006 and -2.3%/yr., <i>p</i> < 0.001, respectively). In males aged 25-54, a significant decrease in AMI morbidity rates by an average of 2.2%/yr. (<i>p</i> < 0.001) was found, contrary to the males aged 55-64, where morbidity was without substantial changes. We found a significant decrease in AMI morbidity in both age groups (the younger and older) of females, by 2.1%/yr. (<i>p</i> = 0.002) and 2.4%/yr. (<i>p</i> < 0.001), respectively. In the 25-64-year-old male population mortality from IHD significantly decreased (-2.0%/yr., <i>p</i> < 0.001), whereas in females it did not significantly change. Mortality from IHD in males aged 25-54 and 55-64 years significantly decreased by an average of 3.3%/yr. (<i>p</i> = 0.002) and 1.2%/yr., (<i>p</i> = 0.004), respectively. No significant trends in mortality from IHD in both age groups of females over the past 24 years were observed. <i>Conclusions:</i> During the study period, the age-standardized AMI morbidity among Kaunas middle-aged males and females significantly decreased. The age-standardized mortality from IHD decreased significantly among Kaunas middle-aged males, but there were no significant changes among females.