[Chronic nonspecific lung diseases in the structure of general population morbidity]

Analysis of the level and time course of mortality due to chronic nonspecific diseases of the lungs based on the death certificates issued by physicians in 1990-1993 in Omsk Province [correction of district] revealed a tendency to an increase of this parameter to as much as 48.4 per 100,000 population, and still higher in the rural regions. The mortality of the rural population is 2-3 times higher than in town. Chronic nonspecific pulmonary diseases are frequently concomitant with other diseases, in 75% cases with cardiovascular diseases; the majority of the cases are latent, and, hence, the true social significance of the diseases is unknown. The share of chronic nonspecific pulmonary diseases among other causes of death increases with age; it is higher in men than in women (7.5 and 5.4% in town and 20 and 15% in the country, respectively). Chronic bronchitis predominates among chronic nonspecific diseases of the lungs causing death, being responsible for 75 to 81% lethal cases; bronchial asthma ranks second (6.5-15%), other diseases are rare.