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Asthma deaths in the United Kingdom
1Department of Respiratory Medicine, East Birmingham Hospital, England.
New England and Regional Allergy Proceedings
|September 1, 1986
Summary
Asthma mortality concerns in the UK during the 1960s were linked to under-treatment, not over-treatment with beta-agonist aerosols. Despite advances, male asthma mortality shows no decline, while female rates have decreased.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Asthma mortality gained significant attention in the UK in the early 1960s.
- Initial concerns focused on over-treatment with beta-agonist aerosols, but research pointed to under-diagnosis and under-treatment as primary causes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the causes and trends of asthma mortality.
- To evaluate the impact of therapeutic advances and diagnostic coding changes on asthma death rates.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of confidential surveys and national asthma death surveys (UK and New Zealand).
- Examination of asthma mortality trends in the UK from 1958 to 1982, considering changes in International Classification of Diseases (ICD) coding.
Main Results:
- Under-diagnosis, under-appreciation, and under-treatment were identified as major contributors to asthma mortality.
- Studies found little evidence of beta-agonist overuse, limited impact of nebulized treatments, and no significant theophylline overuse.
- Asthma mortality declined in females aged 15-44 from 1958-1982, but remained unchanged in males, with a slight annual increase observed in both sexes post-1982.
Conclusions:
- Under-treatment remains a critical factor in asthma mortality.
- Therapeutic advances have not significantly reduced male asthma mortality, highlighting a persistent public health challenge.