Asthma mortality declined steadily since 1986

Asthma mortality increased from the early 1980s until 1986 when it reached a peak before declining steadily until 1999, but do not reach the level observed in the early 80s, say the authors of a study published in Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin (BEH).

In France, the analysis of trends in asthma mortality between 1970 and 1990 showed an increase until the mid-80s, followed by a decrease. Marie-Christine Delmas and Abdelkrim Zeghnoun, Institute of Health Surveillance (VS) have, using data provided by the CépiDc (Inserm), wanted to analyze the subsequent development of asthma mortality until year 1999.

Their analysis included all deaths between 1980 and 1999 in France for which asthma was mentioned in the initial cause of death.

In total, 38,748 deaths from asthma occurred between 1980 and 1999 in France: half were aged 75 years or more, and 8.9% of children and adults under 45 years, say the authors.

These were observed in men as in women a peak of mortality in 1986, the year in which the crude death rate from asthma has reached 4/100.000 men and 4.5 / 100 000 in women. In 1999, these rates were back down to 2.8 and 3.9 / 100,000.

The annual rates of asthma mortality age-standardized are higher in men than in women. In men, the rate increased from 3.4 to 5.1 / 100 000 between 1980 and 1986, then decreased to 3.1 / 100 000 in 1999. In women, it increased from 2.7 to 4/100.000 between 1980 and 1986, then declined more gradually to reach the men in late 90s.

The increased risk of death from asthma according to age appears from the age group 10-14 years, the authors note. The risk of death from asthma and 12 times higher in the 40-44 years in less than 5 years.

"Our analysis suggests that the peak of mortality observed in France in the second half of the 1980s in patients under age 45 is linked to a period effect: it corresponds to an increase in mortality occurred at a given time and touched all children and young adults, whatever their age, "the authors write.

Lack of accurate data on the changes in the prevalence of asthma in France, the authors do not venture to interpret the trends in mortality from asthma. They cite other hand some authors suggest that "a portion of the decline in mortality since the late 80s could be related to an increase in the use of inhaled corticosteroids."

In France, asthma affects approximately 5% of young adults, according to results of surveys reporting.