[Death from asthma attacks in Tohoku District. Results from questionnaire surveyed from 1992 to 2001]

In Tohoku district, death from asthma attacks was surveyed from 1992 to 2001. After presence of death from asthma attacks during the previous year were confirmed by post card at the beginning of every February, details of each case were asked by questionnaire. In total, 299 cases (male: 186, female: 113) were recognized as death from asthma attacks. Middle-aged and older asthmatics over 50 year accounted for 2/3 of the cases and the most death was recorded in asthmatics in the second decade of life under 50. Out-patients accounted for 78%. When they visited hospitals, 60% was in cardio-pulmonary arrest and 89% was in more critical condition than severe attacks. About duration of attacks from the onset to their death, within 2 hrs accounted for 25.6%, within 1 day did for 39.6%, and over 1 day did for 34.8%. Although the most death was found in patients whose duration of asthma was between 1 and 10 years, 16 cases died within 1 year from the onset of their asthma. About severity during the past year, 34% had severe asthma, 45% moderate, and 21% mild. Number of death from asthma attacks in Tohoku district was clearly reduced over the past 5 years. The number was reduced to about one-fourth of that at the beginning of survey.