Authors: C.J. Dobbin¹; J. Miller²; R. van der Hoek²; D.F. Baker³; R. Cumming⁴; G.B. Marks⁵

Source: The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Volume 8, Number 12, December 2004 , pp. 1429-1436(8)

Publisher: International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease

Abstract:

SETTING AND OBJECTIVE: We assessed the relative effects of age, gender, period of death and birth cohort on asthma mortality rates in Australia from 1907 to 2000.

DESIGN: Asthma mortality data obtained from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare were adjusted for changes to the International Classification of Diseases and examined for changes over time and age, period and cohort effects.

RESULTS: Age-adjusted period asthma mortality rates indicated epidemics during the mid 1960s and 1980s, predominantly affecting those aged 5–34 years. The main 1960s epidemic coincided with the introduction of high-dose, non-selective beta-sympathomimetic amines. There was a gradual rise in mortality rates in younger age groups, with rates rising from 0.5/100000 males and 0.9/100000 females in the 1940s to a peak of 3/100000 for both sexes in 1966. Fluctuations in mortality rates were influenced by period of death and birth cohort. There was an increased risk of death from asthma with increasing age.

CONCLUSION: There was no overall trend in asthma mortality rates in any age group. The 1960s epidemic was probably treatment related. Other increases in mortality occurring despite therapeutic advances may reflect increasing prevalence and highlight the need for ongoing surveillance.

Keywords: asthma; mortality; age period cohort effects

Document Type: Regular paper

Affiliations: 1: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; and Woolcock Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 2: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia 3: Woolcock Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; and Australian Centre for Asthma Monitoring, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 4: Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 5: Woolcock Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; and Central Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Publication date: 2004-12-01

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