Asthma mortality in Mauritius: 1982-1991.

Background: Bronchial asthma is a common problem in the island of Mauritius and its prevalence seems to be increasing.

Objective: In order to appreciate the magnitude of the problem, patterns of asthma mortality were studied during a period of 10 years.

Method: All death certificates issued in the island from 1982 to 1991 were reviewed and all cases of asthma deaths were selected.

Results: The global asthma mortality rate was found to be 20/100,000 in 1982, and it decreased to 12/100,000 in 1991. Similarly the asthma death rate for the 0 to 4 year age group decreased from 20/100,000 in 1982 to 5/100,000 in 1991. For the 5 to 34 year age group, it decreased from 2.6/100,000 in 1982 to 1.02/100,000 in 1991. There was no statistically significant difference between the various ethnic groups.

Conclusion: Our study showed that in a developing country such as Mauritius asthma death rates may be high but may show decreasing trends. Nevertheless, it is generally perceived that the prevalence of the disease is increasing.