TRENDS IN ASTHMA-INDUCED MORTALITY IN FRANCE FROM 1970-90

Objective: The object of this research was to studv the evolution of a sthma-induced mortality in France from 1970-90 in the whole population and by age group. Design: Data from the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) and the population groups establi shed by the French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studi es (INSEE) were used. The study was carried out on age-specific, crude and age-adjusted rates. Results: In the general population, a drop in the age-adjusted rates can be observed from 1970-80 in men and only u ntil 1975 in women, followed by an increase until 1986 and then anothe r drop. The rates among women have become closer to those in men. Amon g those aged 5-34, a clear increase is apparent in the age-adjusted ra tes for both sexes, in particular in the groups aged 15-24 and 25-34. In the older age groups, this increase involves only men aged 55-64 an d women from 65 years onward. Conclusion: It is highly unlikely that t he variations observed can be explained by biases, and the increase se ems therefore to be real, particularly in women and in those aged 5-34 .