Mortality from cystic fibrosis in Europe: 1994-2010

To date, available mortality trends due to cystic fibrosis (CF) have been limited to the analysis of certain countries in different parts of the world showing that mortality trends have been constantly decreasing. However, no studies have examined Europe as a whole. The present study aims to analyze CF mortality trends by gender within the European Union (EU) and to quantify potential years of life lost (PYLL).

Deaths from the 27 EU countries were obtained from the statistical office of the EU from the years 1994-2010. Crude and age-standardized mortality rates (ASR) were estimated for women and men using the standard European population, expressed in deaths per 1,000,000 persons. The PYLL from ages 0 up to 30 years were estimated. Trends were studied by a joinpoint regression analysis.

During the study period, 5,130 deaths (2,443 in males and 2,687 in females) were identified. Females had a slightly higher mortality rate than males, with a downward trend observed for both genders. In males, the ASR changed from 1.34 in 1994 to 1.03 in 2010. In females, the ASR changed from 1.42 in 1994 to 0.92 in 2010. The mean age at death and PYLL increased for both genders. The joinpoint analysis did not identify any significant joinpoint for either gender for ASR or PYLL.

Our data suggest a continued downward trend of CF mortality throughout the EU, with differences by country and gender.