Hospital Mortality in Germany Analysis of German Hospital Data From 2000 to 2019
Author(s)
Tammo Constantin Viering, PhD, Timotheus Stremel, MSc, Svitlana Schnaidt, MSc, Christian Jacob, PhD.
Cencora, Hannover, Germany.
Cencora, Hannover, Germany.
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine hospital mortality trends in Germany.
METHODS: A retrospective analysis using annual data from the Federal Statistical Office (DESTATIS) from 2000 to 2019 was conducted. Demographic characteristics (age, sex) were assessed for hospitalized patients. Annual mortality rates and relative changes in death rates were calculated overall and by ICD-10-GM diagnosis groups. Focus was on morbidity-related diagnosis groups: infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99), malignant neoplasms (C00-C97), cardiovascular diseases (I00-I99), respiratory system diseases (J00-J99), digestive system diseases (K00-K93), and injuries and poisoning (S00-T98). Data from 2020 onwards were excluded to prevent distortions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
RESULTS: From 2000 to 2019, the number of hospitalizations increased from 17,442,541 to 19,601,603, with number of deaths rising from 398,819 to 427,035. The overall mortality rate remained constant, fluctuating between 2.08% and 2.34% in 2005 and 2014, respectively. Change in the age of the deceased were observed; in 2000, 36.99% were ≥80 years old, while in 2019 this number increased to 50.56%. The largest proportion of deaths occurred in cases with diagnosis group I00-I99, although a downward trend was observed (2000: 35.15%, 2019: 28.07%). Respective cases had a high but declining mortality rate (2000: 4.87%, 2019: 3.94%) and a relative annual rate change of incident rate ratio (IRR) of 0.988. In contrast, worsening mortality was observed for A00-B99 (2000: 3.22%, 2019: 4.69%, IRR=1.014) and S00-T98 (2000: 1.07%, 2019: 1.50%, IRR=1.014). Mortality of C00-C97, the diagnosis group with the highest hospital mortality rate throughout all years, remained constant (2004: 4.92%, 2010: 5.29%).
CONCLUSIONS: The analysis revealed a stable overall hospital mortality rate, with an increasing proportion of older patients, suggesting an aging population and extended life expectancy. While cardiovascular mortality has declined, challenges persist in managing infectious diseases, indicating target areas for healthcare improvement and resource allocation.
METHODS: A retrospective analysis using annual data from the Federal Statistical Office (DESTATIS) from 2000 to 2019 was conducted. Demographic characteristics (age, sex) were assessed for hospitalized patients. Annual mortality rates and relative changes in death rates were calculated overall and by ICD-10-GM diagnosis groups. Focus was on morbidity-related diagnosis groups: infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99), malignant neoplasms (C00-C97), cardiovascular diseases (I00-I99), respiratory system diseases (J00-J99), digestive system diseases (K00-K93), and injuries and poisoning (S00-T98). Data from 2020 onwards were excluded to prevent distortions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
RESULTS: From 2000 to 2019, the number of hospitalizations increased from 17,442,541 to 19,601,603, with number of deaths rising from 398,819 to 427,035. The overall mortality rate remained constant, fluctuating between 2.08% and 2.34% in 2005 and 2014, respectively. Change in the age of the deceased were observed; in 2000, 36.99% were ≥80 years old, while in 2019 this number increased to 50.56%. The largest proportion of deaths occurred in cases with diagnosis group I00-I99, although a downward trend was observed (2000: 35.15%, 2019: 28.07%). Respective cases had a high but declining mortality rate (2000: 4.87%, 2019: 3.94%) and a relative annual rate change of incident rate ratio (IRR) of 0.988. In contrast, worsening mortality was observed for A00-B99 (2000: 3.22%, 2019: 4.69%, IRR=1.014) and S00-T98 (2000: 1.07%, 2019: 1.50%, IRR=1.014). Mortality of C00-C97, the diagnosis group with the highest hospital mortality rate throughout all years, remained constant (2004: 4.92%, 2010: 5.29%).
CONCLUSIONS: The analysis revealed a stable overall hospital mortality rate, with an increasing proportion of older patients, suggesting an aging population and extended life expectancy. While cardiovascular mortality has declined, challenges persist in managing infectious diseases, indicating target areas for healthcare improvement and resource allocation.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
EPH127
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health
Topic Subcategory
Public Health
Disease
No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas