Analysis of the causes of mortality based on data from the Republican Pathology Bureau

Abstract

Diseases of the circulatory system have the greatest impact on changes in the overall mortality rate of the republic's population, accounting for more than half of all deaths in the Kyrgyz Republic. Given the ongoing decline in the number of autopsies performed, there is a need for a more comprehensive analysis of mortality cases. In particular, such analyses should take into account not only the underlying cause of death but also all major diseases, including those constituting combined underlying diseases. An analysis was conducted of autopsies performed at the Republican Pathology Bureau between 2019 and 2025. The findings demonstrated a marked increase in the number of autopsies in 2021 and 2024, including those performed on adults and adolescents. Particular attention should be paid to the substantial increase in discrepancies between clinical and pathological diagnoses during 2022–2024, with the highest level observed in 2025. The results also revealed changes in the structure of mortality causes. In 2019 and during 2022–2025, diseases of the circulatory system were the leading causes of death, whereas in 2020–2021, infectious and parasitic diseases predominated. The highest rates of discrepancies between clinical and pathological diagnoses were observed in cases involving diseases of the circulatory system and diseases of the digestive system. The findings indicate the need for further improvement of clinical diagnostic algorithms for the most socially significant diseases, enhancement of the quality of antemortem diagnostic verification, and broader integration of pathological autopsy findings into internal healthcare quality assurance systems. Analysis of mortality patterns and diagnostic discrepancies makes it possible to identify priority areas for improving the diagnostic process and to develop measures aimed at reducing the frequency of diagnostic errors and mortality.