ASTHMA MORTALITY IN ADULTS AND ELDERLY IN BRAZIL AT THE 21ST CENTURY

ASTHMA MORTALITY IN ADULTS AND ELDERLY IN BRAZIL BETWEEN 2000 AND 2015

Abstract

Introduction: Asthma is a worldwide public health problem, affecting different age groups. In Brazil, studies on asthma mortality in adults and the elderly are scarce, of local amplitude or restricted to a short period of analysis. Objective: To analyze the characteristics of asthma mortality in adults and elderly (≥20 years of age) in Brazil. Method: An ecological study with data of deaths occurred among 2000 to 2015, available in the Mortality Information System. Mortality rates adjusted for age and relative frequency of deaths were calculated. The tendency of these deaths was estimated by the Prais-Winsten Model. The G* statistic was applied to verify significant Federated Unit clusters with similar degrees of mortality. Results: 91% (n=36,977) of the deaths occurred in adults, with 67.5% in the elderly. Deaths were more frequent in women, elderly, low schooling, regions and UF of worse socioeconomic and health infrastructure. The northern and northeastern regions were the only ones that did not show a statistically significant tendency to reduce mortality rates in both sexes and ages. Northeastern states showed statistically significant segregated risk of death in both genders relative to the rest of the country. Conclusion: Asthma is an important cause of mortality in adults and elderly in Brazil. Socioeconomic and health care inequalities are associated with differences in the observed risks of death.