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. 2022 Aug 17;17(8):e0272744.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272744. eCollection 2022.

Quantifying benefits of the Danish transfat ban for coronary heart disease mortality 1991-2007: Socioeconomic analysis using the IMPACTsec model

Kirsten Schroll Bjoernsbo  1 , Albert Marni Joensen  2 , Torben Joergensen  1   3   4 , Soeren Lundbye-Christensen  5 , Anette Bysted  6 , Tue Christensen  6 , Sisse Fagt  6 , Simon Capewell  7 , Martin O'Flaherty  7
Affiliations

Quantifying benefits of the Danish transfat ban for coronary heart disease mortality 1991-2007: Socioeconomic analysis using the IMPACTsec model

Kirsten Schroll Bjoernsbo et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Denmark has experienced a remarkable reduction in CVD mortality over recent decades. The scale of the health contribution from the Danish regulation on industrially produced trans fatty acid (ITFA) has therefore long been of interest. Thus the objective was to determine health and equity benefits of the Danish regulation on ITFA content in Danish food, by quantifying the relative contributions of changes in ITFA intake, other risk factors and treatments on coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality decline from 1991 to 2007 in Denmark, stratified by socioeconomic group. To evaluate the effects of the ITFA ban (Danish Order no. 160 of March 2003) the Danish IMPACTSEC model was extended to quantify reductions in CHD deaths attributable to changes in ITFA (%E) intake between 1991-2007. Population counts were obtained from the Danish Central Office of Civil Registration, financial income from Statistics Denmark and ITFA intake from Dan-MONICA III (1991) and DANSDA (2005-2008). Participants were adults aged 25-84 years living in Denmark in 1991 and 2007, stratified by socioeconomic quintiles. The main outcome measure was CHD deaths prevented or postponed (DPP). Mean energy intake from ITFA was decimated between 1991 and 2007, falling from 1.1%E to 0.1%E in men and from 1·0%E to 0·1%E in women. Approximately 1,191 (95% CI 989-1,409) fewer CHD deaths were attributable to the ITFA reduction, representing some 11% of the overall 11,100 mortality fall observed in the period. The greatest attributable mortality falls were seen in the most deprived quintiles. Adding ITFA data to the original IMPACTsec model improved the overall model fit from 64% to 73%. In conclusion: Denmark's mandatory elimination of ITFA accounted for approximately 11% of the substantial reduction in CHD deaths observed between 1991 and 2007. The most deprived groups benefited the most, thus reducing inequalities. Adopting the Danish ITFA regulatory approach elsewhere could substantially reduce CHD mortality while improving health equity.

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Conflict of interest statement

I have read the journal’s policy and the authors of this manuscript have the following competing interests: AMJ has given lectures at educational events arranged by Bristol Meier Squibb Denmark, Novartis Healthcare A/S, Bayer A/S This does not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Trends in mean ITFA intake (%E) in Denmark 1991–2007 divided into socio-economic quintiles.
Top lines indicate 95% CIs.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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