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[Past and present asthma mortality: towards a shift in the secular trend?]
B Cadet1, J M Robine, D Leibovici
1INSERM Equipe Démographie et Santé, Hôpital Lapeyronie, Montpellier.
Revue D'Epidemiologie Et De Sante Publique
|January 1, 1993
Summary
Asthma mortality in France shows a clear decreasing trend from 1925 to 1989, mirroring general mortality declines. However, recent data suggests potential fluctuations, necessitating careful epidemiological surveillance for asthma trends.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Medical Statistics
Background:
- Recent observations indicate concerning changes in asthma mortality rates globally.
- Assessing these changes is challenging due to uncertainties in underlying mortality trends.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze long-term asthma mortality trends in France from 1925 to 1989.
- To identify patterns and potential crises in asthma mortality over the specified period.
Main Methods:
- Compilation of a statistical series of asthma deaths spanning 1925 to 1989.
- Analysis of mortality trends in relation to general mortality decline.
- Identification of distinct periods of mortality changes.
Main Results:
- A clear decreasing trend in asthma mortality was observed from 1925 to 1989.
- Asthma's proportion in total deaths remained stable at 3-4/1000.
- Three distinct periods were identified: 1925-1965 (interrupted decrease), 1965-1980 (regular decrease), and post-1980 (notable crisis in 1985-1986).
Conclusions:
- The long-term trend of asthma mortality in France is decreasing, aligning with general mortality patterns.
- Recent mortality crises, affecting all demographics, introduce uncertainty about the future trend.
- Further epidemiological surveillance is crucial to differentiate between secular trend changes and temporary crises, with potential influence from diagnostic classification changes (ICD 9).