Exploring Age-Sex-specific All-Cause Mortality in Russia Using the RLMS-HSE Cohort Study Data

Abstract Background Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Survey of the Higher School of Economics (RLMS-HSE) presents a series of annual representative surveys that include questionnaires and a particular module relating to observed individual mortality over 1994-2019. Methods All calculations were made in statistical software ‘R-studio'. The analysis includes the descriptive statistics, corresponding figures, and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and plots. Results Four thousand nine hundred forty-two death cases (1372 females, 1978 males) in 32023 households and 150335 individuals who participated in the RLMS survey over 1994-2019 explored. Most deaths were observed after age 66, while the number of deaths before age 75 among men was prevalent around twice that among women. The mean death age 66.4±18.7 (SD) years, while among females, 73.8 ±17.1 (SD) and 60.8±17.8 years for males. The median time to death among females was 89 years (95% CI: 89-89) and for males 85 years (95% CI: 85-86). Conclusions Death numbers because of stroke are around the same among males and females. Deaths due to cardiac and neoplasms prevailed in males. Fatal cases due to injuries/accidents among males were more than twice that among females, same for murder/self-murders. The mean death age for cause-related to neoplasm, cardiac, and stroke was around as general population - 66, 69, and 72 years old, and was more than 80 years in senility/old age cause. Key messages The official statistics of mortality by Federal State Statistics Service and results getting from surveys are compatible with each other, therefore adequately reflecting the rate of deaths in Russia. Using RLMS-HSE cohort study data can help identify new yet unexplored risk factors, measure and assess their effects on the leading causes of death in Russia.