Asthma mortality in France

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Epidemiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Asthma mortality was historically underestimated in France, contrary to recognition in other Western countries.
• The absence of an observed asthma death
• epidemic
• in the 1960s and subsequent trends in French asthma mortality rates require examination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze trends in asthma mortality in France from 1968 onwards.
• To compare French asthma death rates with those in other European countries, specifically Denmark and Germany.
• To investigate potential contributing factors to asthma mortality, including treatment modalities and patient-reported reasons for death.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of national mortality data for asthma in France.
• Comparative analysis of asthma death rates across different age groups and genders.
• Review of reported causes of death in asthma patients, including iatrogenic causes and alternative medicine use.

Main Results:

• Asthma deaths in France decreased from 1968 until 1974 (females) and 1980 (males), followed by an increase to 2.9/100,000 (males) and 3.6/100,000 (females).
• A slight increase in asthma deaths was observed in the 5-34 age group (0.35/100,000 males, 0.39/100,000 females).
• German asthma death rates in the 5-34 age group were significantly higher than in France and Denmark, with a notable increase observed.

Conclusions:

• Asthma mortality trends in France exhibit complex patterns, with recent increases noted after initial declines.
• Specific immunotherapy and patient avoidance of corticosteroids (corticophobia), leading to reliance on alternative therapies like homeopathy and acupuncture, are potential contributors to asthma deaths.
• International comparisons highlight significant variations in asthma mortality, underscoring the need for further research into causative factors and effective management strategies.