Asthma mortality in Russia between 1980 and 1989

There is evidence that mortality due to asthma has increased in a number of nations over the last two decades. This study was conducted to assess asthma mortality rates in Russia from 1980 to 1989. Data obtained were compared with figures from other countries. National asthma deaths were obtained from the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. Age- and sex-specific rates per 100,000 population per year were adjusted to the European population. Annual changes in mortality rates for the study period were estimated by linear regression analysis. Between 1980 and 1989, asthma mortality rates per 100,000 population per year increased from 3.7 to 5.3 in the total Russian population. Differences according to age and sex were observed. Asthma deaths increased with age and in most cases males showed higher death rates than females. There was a statistically significant annual increase in mortality rates for young males < 5 yrs of age and for adult males aged 35-64 yrs, as well as for females aged > or = 65 yrs. Asthma mortality rates in Russia between 1980 and 1989 may be considered moderate as compared with death rates reported for the same period in other countries.