Characteristics and nosological structure of recurrent disability due to non-rheumatic aortic valve defects among people over working age in Moscow in 2017–2023

BACKGROUND: Valvular heart defects are prevalent globally, ranging from 5 to 10 cases per 1,000 people, with the incidence increasing with age. Aortic stenosis, primarily due to aortic valve calcification, is the most common lesion. In Russia, the aging population has led to a rise in disability rates in this group.

AIM: To study the characteristics and nosological structure of recurrent disability due to non-rheumatic aortic valve disease among people over working age in Moscow in order to develop preventive measures for morbidity and disability in this group, and to provide recommendations for improving comprehensive medical and social rehabilitation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study focused on individuals over working age with non-rheumatic aortic valve disease who were re-evaluated by the bureau of the branch of the Federal Governmental Institution “Main Bureau of Medical and Social Expert Evaluation in Moscow” of the Ministry of Labor of the Russian Federation. The study covered a 7-year period from 2017 to 2023. Descriptive statistics and statistical analysis were employed.

RESULTS: Recurrent disability due to non-rheumatic aortic valve disease among people over working age in Moscow in 2017–2023 showed a rise in the number of individuals re-recognized as disabled (593 cases, average growth rate of 45.7%, average level of 0.24±0.05 per 10 000 of the corresponding population). There was a predominance of male disabled individuals (311 cases), though their share tended to decrease (52.4%, average growth rate of +15.1%) and their incidence declined to 0.12 per 10 000. Conversely, the proportion of women with disabilities increased (47.6%, average growth rate +16.2%) along with their incidence level (0.11 per 10 000). According to the severity, Group III disability prevails (517 cases), with a growing share (87.5%) and incidence level (0.21 per 10 000), while Group II disability cases declined (12.5%) with an incidence of 0.03 per 10 000. Aortic stenosis accounted for a significant portion of disabilities (298 cases), representing 50.3% of all aortic valve damage issues.

CONCLUSION: The results of the study indicate the need for screening programs to identify this pathology among the working age population using modern diagnostic methods. When developing comprehensive medical and social rehabilitation measures, it is necessary to take into account age-related physiological changes to maintain preserve functional activity and improve the quality of life of people older than working age after surgical correction of aortic valve defects.