Changing patterns of gastric cancer mortality in Spain

Time trends and the geographical variation of mortality from gastric cancer in Spain are analysed. The national (1961-1980) and the provincial (1975-1980) crude death rates as well as the age adjusted death rates were calculated using the population census (years 1960 and 1970) and the figures for national and provincial mortality. Mortality increased until 1963-1965 and then decreased significantly (P less than 0.01). Analysis of the geographic distribution reveals that the mortality rate is significantly higher in the interior than in the coastal provinces of the country, and higher in the provinces over 600 m above sea level.