Temporal trends and ethnic variations in asthma mortality in Singapore, 1976–1995
- aDepartment of Community, Occupational and Family Medicine, bDepartment of Medicine, cNational University of Singapore, Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119260
- Dr T P Ng.
- Received 10 November 1997
- Revision requested 9 January 1998
- Revised 21 June 1999
- Accepted 1 July 1999
Abstract
BACKGROUND A study was undertaken to examine temporal trends and ethnic differences in the asthma mortality rate in Singapore.
METHODS Asthma mortality rates in Singapore were estimated from vital data for the years from 1976 to 1995. Trends in sex and age specific (5–14, 15–34, 35–59, 60+ years) rates were obtained for four periods (1976–80, 1981–85, 1986–90, 1991–95) and for Chinese, Malay, and Indian subjects for the years when these data were available (1989–95).
RESULTS An increase in asthma mortality was observed in children aged 5–14 years from 0.21 per 100 000 person years in 1976–80 to 0.72 per 100 000 person years in 1991–95. No increases were noted in the other age groups but a small decrease was observed in the 1991–95 period for the 35–59 year age group. Marked ethnic differences in mortality rates were observed. In the group aged 5–34 years the asthma mortality rates were 0.5 per 100 000 in Chinese subjects, 1.3 per 100 000 in Indians, and 2.5 per 100 000 in Malay subjects. Similar 2–4 fold differences were observed in all other age groups.
CONCLUSIONS Apart from genetic factors, environmental exposures and medical care factors which influence asthma prevalence and severity are most likely to be the causes of the observed temporal trends and ethnic differences in the asthma mortality rate in Singapore, but further studies are needed to elucidate these more fully.
