Age specific trends in asthma mortality in England and Wales, 1983-95: results of an observational study
BMJ 1997; 314 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.314.7092.1439 (Published 17 May 1997) Cite this as: BMJ 1997;314:1439
- M J Campbell (m.j.campbell{at}soton.ac.uk), reader in medical statisticsa,
- G R Cogman, MSc studenta,
- S T Holgate, MRC professor of immunopharmacologyb,
- S L Johnston, senior lecturer in medicineb
- a Southampton University Department of Medical Statistics and Computing, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton S016 6YD
- b Southampton University Department of Medicine, Southampton General Hospital
- Correspondence to: Dr Campbell
- Accepted 6 March 1997
Abstract
Objective: To determine trends in asthma mortality by age group in England and Wales during 1983-95.
Design: Observational study.
Setting: England and Wales.
Subjects: All deaths classified as having an underlying cause of asthma registered from 1 January 1983 to 31 December 1995.
Main outcome measure: Time trends for age specific asthma deaths.
Results: Deaths in the age group 5-14 years showed an irregular downward trend during 1983-95; deaths in the age groups 15-44, 45-64, and 65-74 years peaked before 1989 and then showed a downward trend; and deaths in the age group 75-84 years peaked between 1988 and 1993 and subsequently dropped. Trends were: age group 5-14 years, 6% (95% confidence interval 3% to 9%); 15-44 years, 6% (5% to 7%); 45-64 years, 5% (4% to 6%); 65-74 years, 2% (1% to 3%). Deaths in the 75-84 and 85 and over categories plateaued.
Conclusions: There are downward trends in asthma mortality in Britain, which may be due to increased use of prophylactic treatment.
Key messages
Asthma mortality in England and Wales is dropping by about 6% a year in people aged 5-64 years
It is changing only slowly in those aged 65 and over
Footnotes
- Accepted 6 March 1997