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Deaths from chickenpox in England and Wales 1995-7: analysis of routine mortality data
1Guy's King's College, St. Thomas's Hospital School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, UK.
Objective:
To evaluate the epidemiology and impact of mortality from chickenpox in England and Wales.
Design:
Review of death certificates from the Office for National Statistics on which codes for "chickenpox" or "varicella" were mentioned. Further information ascertained from certifying physician.
Participants:
Those certified as having died from chickenpox in England and Wales, 1995-7.
Main Outcome Measures:
Diagnosis and age and sex distributions of deaths from chickenpox.
Results:
On average, 25 people a year die from chickenpox. Overall case fatality was 9.22 per 100 000 consultations for chickenpox. Adults accounted for 81% of deaths and 19% of consultations. Deaths were twice as common in men as in women. More of those who died were born outside United Kingdom than expected (12% v 4%).
Conclusions:
Chickenpox is not a mild disease. Deaths in adults are increasing, both in number and proportion.
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