¿Has Mortality from COPD Decreased in Spain in the Last Two Decades?

Abstract

Introduction: COPD is the third leading cause of death globally. In Spain it has been observed a decreased in COPD mortality rates in the latest years. However, it is unknown whether this decline has happened equally among different regions in Spain. The aim of this study is to compare the COPD mortality rates among the Spanish regions during the period 1999-2019

Methods: We obtained the age-adjusted mortality rates/100.000 people from both men and women form the period between 1999- 2019 after consulting the Statistic Portal from the Spanish Health Ministry. We implemented a joint point regression analysis to provide an estimation of APC (annual percent change) in mortality rates as well as to identify potential changes in the slope. Statistical significance was considered for a p value<0.05

Results: During the study period COPD age- adjusted mortality rates in Spain decreased from 28.77 deaths/100.000 in 1999 to 12.14/100.000 people in 2019, with a mean APC of 3.8%. Among male, the regions where more pronounced reductions in COPD mortality were found were Basque Country (APC -5,49%, 95% CI -5.01, -6.02) and Asturias (APC -5.41%, 95% CI -5.9, -4.9). Among women, COPD mortality rates have decreased in two phases with a change in trend by 2006. The regions with more pronounced reductions in mortality rates were Murcia (APC -4.80%, 95% CI -6.0, -3.6) and Galicia (APC -4.20%, 95% CI -4.9, -3.5).

Conclusions: Age- adjusted COPD mortality rates have decreased heterogeneously among regions in Spain in men but also in women during the last 20 years. This data should be applied for benchmarking among healthcare services in Spain.