Mortality from asthma and bronchodilator aerosols

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Public Health
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Asthma mortality rates in Australia experienced a temporary increase between 1960 and 1967.
• Pressurized adrenergic aerosols were commonly used for asthma treatment during this period.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential correlation between the sales of pressurized adrenergic aerosols and asthma mortality rates in Australia.
• To explore the impact of public health warnings on aerosol usage and asthma mortality.

Main Methods:

• Statistical analysis of asthma mortality data and sales figures for pressurized adrenergic aerosols in Australia's four most populated states.
• Comparison of correlation coefficients for the triennia 1961-1963 and 1964-1966, and post-1966.

Main Results:

• A significant positive correlation was observed between aerosol sales and asthma mortality rates for the periods 1961-1963 and 1964-1966.
• This correlation diminished after 1966.
• Sales of aerosols showed a reduced rate of increase in 1966 and 1967, following public warnings.

Conclusions:

• Over-usage of pressurized adrenergic aerosols may have contributed to an epidemic of asthma deaths in Australia prior to 1967.
• Public health warnings likely played a role in reducing aerosol over-usage and mitigating asthma mortality.