Asthma mortality: England and Wales

Approximately 25% of these discharges occurred among children less than 15 years of age. Among children, the discharge rate per 100,000 per year increased from 48 in 1965 to 263 in 1983. During the same period, the rate increased in adults (15 years and older) from 74 to 179 (112 if adjusted for the ICD change) per 100,000 per year. The data reflect that in the United States today there is a mild increase in the prevalence of asthma, a definite increase in mortality from asthma, and a very marked increase in hospitalization for asthma. The reasons for these events are far from being understood. 2. Evans R, Mullally DI, Wilson RW, Gergen PJ. Rosenberg HM, Grauman JS, Edmonds FC, Fbinleil M. National trends in the morbidity and mortality of asthma in the U.S.A. Chest (in press). 3. Markham D, Chang M, Evans R, MuIlally D. Epidemiologic study of deaths from asthma among children in U.S. 19651983 [Abstract]. J ALLERGY CLJN IMMIJNOL 1986;77:161. 4. Paulozzi W, Coleman JJ, Buist AS. A recent increase in asthma mortality in the Northwestern United States. Ann Allergy 1986;56:392. 5. Stableforth DE. Asthma deaths in the United Kingdom: international symposium on status asthmaticus and asthma deaths. Providence, R.I.: Brown University, 1985. 6. Mullally DI, Grauman JS, Evans R, Kaslow A. Hospitahzations of children for asthma in U.S.A. 19651982 [Abstract]. J ALLERGY CLIN IMMUNOL 1985;75:197.