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Secular trends in mortality from asthma in children and young adults: Republic of Ireland, 1970–91

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Abstract

Trends in mortality attributed to asthma in children (0–14 years) and young adults (15–44 years) and the age group 5–34 years were examined for the Republic of Ireland over the period 1970–91. Childhood mortality rates were low with no clear trend. A recent rise in asthma mortality was observed in the 5–34 year olds but not in the 15–44 year age group. More detailed examination of these rates revealed that the rise in mortality in the 5–34 year olds derived from the age band 25–34 years. This increase is masked in the 15–44 year age group by wide fluctuations in mortality in the age band 35–44 years. A similar discrepancy in asthma mortality trends for the 15–44 and 5–34 year age groups has been reported in Britain. Possible reasons for the recent rise in asthma mortality in the 25–34 year age group are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Community Health and General Practice, Trinity College, Dublin 2

    H. Sinclair & S. Allwright

  2. TCD Department of Clinical Medicine, St. James’s Hospital, Dublin 8

    J. Prichard

Authors
  1. H. Sinclair
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  2. S. Allwright
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  3. J. Prichard
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Sinclair, H., Allwright, S. & Prichard, J. Secular trends in mortality from asthma in children and young adults: Republic of Ireland, 1970–91. I.J.M.S. 164, 45–47 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02968115

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02968115

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