Objective: The object of this research was to study the evolution of asthma-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 established by the French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (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 until 1975 in women, followed by an increase until 1986 and then another drop. The rates among women have become closer to those in men. Among those aged 5-34, a clear increase is apparent in the age-adjusted rates 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 and women from 65 years onward.
Conclusion: It is highly unlikely that the variations observed can be explained by biases, and the increase seems therefore to be real, particularly in women and in those aged 5-34.