Socioeconomic Inequalities in Small-for-Gestational-Age Births Before and During the Economic Crisis: An Ecologic Study of Trends in 13 Spanish Cities.

Economic recessions can increase socioeconomic inequalities in health. The objective of this study was to analyze socioeconomic inequalities in small-for-gestational-age (SGA) births before and during the Spanish economic crisis. We conducted an ecological study of trends based on 2 periods before the crisis (1999-2003 and 2004-2008) and another during the crisis (2009-2013). The study population was Spanish women resident in 13 cities who had given birth during 1999-2013. The prevalence of SGA was calculated for each census tract. A hierarchical Bayesian model was used to obtain the prevalence ratio (PR) and 95% credible intervals (CI). We analyzed the association between SGA and socioeconomic deprivation in each period for each city and for 3 age groups. The PR was above 1 and statistically significant for all 3 time periods in most of the 13 cities. The differences in PR between periods were only statistically significant for Madrid (PR = 1.56, 95% CI 1.48-1.65 for 1999-2003; PR = 1.28, 95% CI 1.19-1.38 for 2004-2008) and Barcelona (PR = 0.99, 95% CI 0.87-1.12 for 2004-2008; PR = 1.20, 95% CI 1.05-1.36 for 2009-2013). Socioeconomic inequalities in SGA births in small areas (census tracts) of most Spanish cities studied remained stable before and during the economic crisis.

Place of death for people with HIV: a population-level comparison of eleven countries across three continents using death certificate data.

BACKGROUND: With over 1 million HIV-related deaths annually, quality end-of-life care remains a priority. Given strong public preference for home death, place of death is an important consideration for quality care. This 11 country study aimed to i) describe the number, proportion of all deaths, and demographics of HIV-related deaths; ii) identify place of death; iii) compare place of death to cancer patients iv), determine patient/health system factors associated with place of HIV-related death. METHODS: In this retrospective analysis of death certification, data were extracted for the full population (ICD-10 codes B20-B24) for 1-year period: deceased's demographic characteristics, place of death, healthcare supply. RESULTS: i) 19,739 deaths were attributed to HIV. The highest proportion (per 1000 deaths) was for Mexico (9.8‰), and the lowest Sweden (0.2‰). The majority of deaths were among men (75%), and those aged <50 (69.1%). ii) Hospital was most common place of death in all countries: from 56.6% in the Netherlands to 90.9% in South Korea. The least common places were hospice facility (3.3%-5.7%), nursing home (0%-17.6%) and home (5.9%-26.3%).iii) Age-standardised relative risks found those with HIV less likely to die at home and more likely to die in hospital compared with cancer patients, and in most countries more likely to die in a nursing home. iv) Multivariate analysis found that men were more likely to die at home in UK, Canada, USA and Mexico; a greater number of hospital beds reduced the likelihood of dying at home in Italy and Mexico; a higher number of GPs was associated with home death in Italy and Mexico. CONCLUSIONS: With increasing comorbidity among people ageing with HIV, it is essential that end-of-life preferences are established and met. Differences in place of death according to country and diagnosis demonstrate the importance of ensuring a "good death" for people with HIV, alongside efforts to optimise treatment.

Recent lung cancer mortality trends in Europe: effect of national smoke-free legislation strengthening.

The impact of smoke-free legislation within European Union (EU) countries on lung cancer mortality has not been evaluated to date. We aimed to determine lung cancer mortality trends in the EU-27 by sex, age, and calendar year for the period of 1994 and 2012, and relate them with changes in tobacco legislation at the national level. Deaths by Eurostat in each European country were analyzed, focusing on ICD-10 codes C33 and C34 from the years 1994 to 2012. Age-standardized mortality rates (ASR) were estimated separately for women and men in the EU-27 total and within country for each one of the years studied, and the significance of changing trends was estimated by joinpoint regression analysis, exploring lag times after initiation of smoke-free legislation in every country, if any. From 1994 to 2012, there were 4 681 877 deaths from lung cancer in Europe (3 491 607 in men and 1 190 180 in women) and a nearly linear decrease in mortality rates because of lung cancer in men from was observed1994 to 2012, mirrored in women by an upward trend, narrowing the sex gap during the study period from 5.1 in 1994 to 2.8 in 2012. Joinpoint regression analysis identified a number of trend changes over time, but it appears that they were unrelated to the implementation of smoke-free legislations. A few years after the introduction of smoke-free legislations across Europe, trends of lung cancer mortality trends have not changed.

Differences in place of death between lung cancer and COPD patients: a 14-country study using death certificate data.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer are leading causes of death with comparable symptoms at the end of life. Cross-national comparisons of place of death, as an important outcome of terminal care, between people dying from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer have not been studied before. We collected population death certificate data from 14 countries (year: 2008), covering place of death, underlying cause of death, and demographic information. We included patients dying from lung cancer or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and used descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regressions to describe patterns in place of death. Of 5,568,827 deaths, 5.8% were from lung cancer and 4.4% from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Among lung cancer decedents, home deaths ranged from 12.5% in South Korea to 57.1% in Mexico, while hospital deaths ranged from 27.5% in New Zealand to 77.4% in France. In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients, the proportion dying at home ranged from 10.4% in Canada to 55.4% in Mexico, while hospital deaths ranged from 41.8% in Mexico to 78.9% in South Korea. Controlling for age, sex, and marital status, patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were significantly less likely die at home rather than in hospital in nine countries. Our study found in almost all countries that those dying from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as compared with those from lung cancer are less likely to die at home and at a palliative care institution and more likely to die in a hospital or a nursing home. This might be due to less predictable disease trajectories and prognosis of death in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. LUNG DISEASE: IMPROVING END-OF-LIFE CARE: Structured palliative care similar to that offered to cancer sufferers should be in place for patients with chronic lung disease. Joachim Cohen at Vrije University in Brussels and co-workers examined international death certificate data collected from 14 countries to determine place of death for patients with lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). While patients with COPD suffer similar symptoms to lung cancer in their final days, few COPD patients receive palliative care or achieve the common wish of dying at home. This may be partly due to the inherent unpredictability of final-stage COPD compared with lung cancer. Cohen's team found that, with the exception of Italy, Spain, and Mexico, patients with COPD were significantly more likely to die in hospital than at home. They highlight the need for improved COPD palliative care provision.

Estimating the need for palliative care at the population level: A cross-national study in 12 countries.

BACKGROUND: To implement the appropriate services and develop adequate interventions, detailed estimates of the needs for palliative care in the population are needed. AIM: To estimate the proportion of decedents potentially in need of palliative care across 12 European and non-European countries. DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional study using death certificate data. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: All adults (⩾18 years) who died in 2008 in Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Italy, Spain (Andalusia, 2010), Sweden, Canada, the United States (2007), Korea, Mexico, and New Zealand ( N = 4,908,114). Underlying causes of death were used to apply three estimation methods developed by Rosenwax et al., the French National Observatory on End-of-Life Care, and Murtagh et al., respectively. RESULTS: The proportion of individuals who died from diseases that indicate palliative care needs at the end of life ranged from 38% to 74%. We found important cross-country variation: the population potentially in need of palliative care was lower in Mexico (24%-58%) than in the United States (41%-76%) and varied from 31%-83% in Hungary to 42%-79% in Spain. Irrespective of the estimation methods, female sex and higher age were independently associated with the likelihood of being in need of palliative care near the end of life. Home and nursing home were the two places of deaths with the highest prevalence of palliative care needs. CONCLUSION: These estimations of the size of the population potentially in need of palliative care provide robust indications of the challenge countries are facing if they want to seriously address palliative care needs at the population level.

Mortality from cystic fibrosis in Europe: 1994-2010.

OBJECTIVE: To date, available mortality trends due to cystic fibrosis (CF) have been limited to the analysis of certain countries in different parts of the world showing that mortality trends have been constantly decreasing. However, no studies have examined Europe as a whole. The present study aims to analyze CF mortality trends by gender within the European Union (EU) and to quantify potential years of life lost (PYLL). DESIGN: Deaths from the 27 EU countries were obtained from the statistical office of the EU from the years 1994-2010. Crude and age-standardized mortality rates (ASR) were estimated for women and men using the standard European population, expressed in deaths per 1,000,000 persons. The PYLL from ages 0 up to 30 years were estimated. Trends were studied by a joinpoint regression analysis. RESULTS: During the study period, 5,130 deaths (2,443 in males and 2,687 in females) were identified. Females had a slightly higher mortality rate than males, with a downward trend observed for both genders. In males, the ASR changed from 1.34 in 1994 to 1.03 in 2010. In females, the ASR changed from 1.42 in 1994 to 0.92 in 2010. The mean age at death and PYLL increased for both genders. The joinpoint analysis did not identify any significant joinpoint for either gender for ASR or PYLL. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest a continued downward trend of CF mortality throughout the EU, with differences by country and gender.

Place of death in the population dying from diseases indicative of palliative care need: a cross-national population-level study in 14 countries.

BACKGROUND: Studying where people die across countries can serve as an evidence base for health policy on end-of-life care. This study describes the place of death of people who died from diseases indicative of palliative care need in 14 countries, the association of place of death with cause of death, sociodemographic and healthcare availability characteristics in each country and the extent to which these characteristics explain country differences in the place of death. METHODS: Death certificate data for all deaths in 2008 (age ≥1 year) in Belgium, Canada, the Czech Republic, England, France, Hungary, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, Spain (Andalusia), the USA and Wales caused by cancer, heart/renal/liver failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diseases of the nervous system or HIV/AIDS were linked with national or regional healthcare statistics (N=2,220,997). RESULTS: 13% (Canada) to 53% (Mexico) of people died at home and 25% (the Netherlands) to 85% (South Korea) died in hospital. The strength and direction of associations between home death and cause of death, sociodemographic and healthcare availability factors differed between countries. Differences between countries in home versus hospital death were only partly explained by differences in these factors. CONCLUSIONS: The large differences between countries in and beyond Europe in the place of death of people in potential need of palliative care are not entirely attributable to sociodemographic characteristics, cause of death or availability of healthcare resources, which suggests that countries' palliative and end-of-life care policies may influence where people die.

[Suicide Mortality in Andalusia, Spain: geographical Distribution and Relationship with Antidepressants, Altitude and Socioeconomic Inequalities]. / Mortalidad por suicidio en Andalucía: distribución geográfica y relación con el uso de antidepresivos, la altitud y desigualdades socioeconómicas.

BACKGROUND: The suicide mortality rate in Andalusia is higher than the Spanish average, and it shows a different evolution over time. This study analyzes recent changes of suicide mortality in Andalusia, its geographical distribution and its relation with antidepressant use, altitude and socioeconomic inequality. METHODS: An ecological study of the Basic Health Zones in Andalusia has been conducted. Age-standarized suicide rates in 2012 and during 2007-2011 were calculated. The correlation among variables and their association with the geographical differences was assessed with Spearman's coefficient and generalized linear models were also estimated. RESULTS: Andalusia registered 7,58 suicides per 100.000 inhabitants per year from 2007 to 2011, with a range of 0,96 to 27,71 in the different areas. Positive correlation has been observed between altitude and suicide rates in 2012 (r=0,29; p<0,001) and during the period 2007-2011 (r=0,47; p<0,001). Antidepressant use in 2012 was not correlated with suicide rates in that year (r=0,03; p=0,67), but a positive correlation was observed with the precedent five years suicide rates (r=0,18; p=0,008). The Deprivation Index had a positive correlation with suicide rates in 2012 (r=0,29; p<0,001) and in 2007-2011 (r=0,33; p<0,001). CONCLUSIONS: There is a clear geographical pattern in the distribution of suicide mortality in Andalusia and it remains stable over time. Central areas and in those with the highest altitude concentrate the highest suicide rates, which are associated with a larger use of antidepressants and also with higher levels of material deprivation.

Mortalidad por suicidio en Andalucía: distribución geográfica y relación con el uso de antidepresivos, la altitud y desigualdades socioeconómicas / Suicide Mortality in Andalusia, Spain: Geographical Distribution and Relationship with Antidepressants, Altitude and Socioeconomic Inequalities

Fundamentos: Andalucía tiene una mortalidad por suicidio superior a la media española y una evolución temporal discordante con el conjunto del país. El objetivo fue analizar la evolución reciente de la mortalidad por suicidio en Andalucía, su distribución geográfica y la relación con el uso de antidepresivos, la altitud y las desigualdades socioeconómicas. Métodos: Estudio ecológico cuya unidad de análisis fueron las Zonas Básicas de Salud de Andalucía. Se calcularon las tasas de suicidio ajustadas por edad del periodo 2007-2011 y de 2012. Para analizar las variables asociadas a las diferencias geográficas se midió la correlación mediante el coeficiente de Spearman y se estimaron modelos lineales generalizados. Resultados: Andalucía tuvo una tasa de mortalidad por suicidio de 7,58/100.000 habitantes/año entre 2007 y 2011, con un intervalo de 0,96 a 27,71. Hubo correlación positiva entre altitud y tasas de suicidio en 2012 (r=0,29; p<0,001) y en el periodo 2007-2011 (r=0,47; p<0,001). En 2012 el uso de antidepresivos no se correlacionó con las tasas de suicidio (r=0,03; p=0,67) pero sí durante los cinco años anteriores (r=0,18; p=0,008). El Índice de Privación Material tuvo una correlación positiva con las tasas en 2012 (r=0,29; p<0,001) y de 2007-2011 (r=0,33; p<0,001). Conclusiones: Existe un claro patrón geográfico en la distribución de la mortalidad por suicidio en Andalucía que permanece estable en el período estudiado. La zona central y las de mayor altitud concentran las tasas de suicidio más altas y se asocian con utilización de antidepresivos y mayor privación material (AU)

Background: The suicide mortality rate in Andalusia is higher than the Spanish average, and it shows a different evolution over time. This study analyzes recent changes of suicide mortality in Andalusia, its geographical distribution and its relation with antidepressant use, altitude and socioeconomic inequality. Methods: An ecological study of the Basic Health Zones in Andalusia has been conducted. Age-standarized suicide rates in 2012 and during 2007-2011 were calculated. The correlation among variables and their association with the geographical differences was assessed with Spearman’s coefficient and generalized linear models were also estimated. Results: Andalusia registered 7,58 suicides per 100.000 inhabitants per year from 2007 to 2011, with a range of 0,96 to 27,71 in the different areas. Positive correlation has been observed between altitude and suicide rates in 2012 (r=0,29; p<0,001) and during the period 2007-2011 (r=0,47; p<0,001). Antidepressant use in 2012 was not correlated with suicide rates in that year (r=0,03; p=0,67), but a positive correlation was observed with the precedent five years suicide rates (r=0,18; p=0,008). The Deprivation Index had a positive correlation with suicide rates in 2012 (r=0,29; p<0,001) and in 2007-2011 (r=0,33; p<0,001). Conclusions: There is a clear geographical pattern in the distribution of suicide mortality in Andalusia and it remains stable over time. Central areas and in those with the highest altitude concentrate the highest suicide rates, which are associated with a larger use of antidepressants and also with higher levels of material deprivation (AU)

International variation in place of death of older people who died from dementia in 14 European and non-European countries.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to examine variation in place of death of older people dying from dementia in countries across 4 continents. DESIGN: Study of death certificate data. METHODS: We included deaths of older (65 + years) people whose underlying cause of death was a dementia-related disease (ICD-10: F01, F02, F03, G30) in Belgium, the Netherlands, England, Wales, France, Italy, Spain, Czech Republic, Hungary, New Zealand, United States, Canada, Mexico and South Korea. We examined associations between place of death and sociodemographic factors, social support, and residential and health care system factors. RESULTS: Overall, 4.8% of all deaths were from a dementia-related disease, ranging from 0.4% in Mexico to 6.9% in Canada. Of those deaths, the proportion occurring in hospital varied from 1.6% in the Netherlands to 73.6% in South Korea. When controlling for potential confounders, hospital death was more likely for men, those younger than 80, and those married or living in a region with a higher availability of long-term care beds, although this could not be concluded for each country. Hospital death was least likely in the Netherlands compared with other countries. CONCLUSIONS: Place of death of older people who died from a dementia-related disease differs substantially between countries, which might point to organizational differences in end-of-life care provision. Increasing the availability of long-term care beds might be important to reduce the number of hospital deaths, while focusing specialized end-of-life care services on married people or those aged 65 to 79 might be crucial for achieving home death. However, proper end-of-life care needs to be ensured in hospitals, should this be the most appropriate end-of-life care setting.

Suicidio, prescripción de antidepresivos y desempleo en Andalucía / Suicide, antidepressant prescription and unemployment in Andalusia (Spain)

Objetivos: Analizar la evolución temporal de la mortalidad por suicidio en Andalucía entre 1975 y 2012, y su relación con el uso de antidepresivos y el desempleo. Métodos: Para estimar los cambios de tendencia se utilizaron modelos segmentados de regresión de Poisson. La correlación se midió mediante el coeficiente de Spearman. Resultados: La tendencia de la mortalidad por suicidio es ascendente, y son las personas de 15 a 44 años de edad las que presentan aumentos más acusados, con un porcentaje de cambio anual de 1,21 (intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC95%]: 0,7-1,7) para los hombres y de 0,93 (IC95%: 0,4-1,4) para las mujeres. Conclusiones: La mortalidad por suicidio ha aumentado desde 1975 en todos los grupos de edad y sexo, salvo en las mujeres ancianas. En las últimas décadas se aprecian tendencias ascendentes en los jóvenes, y estables o descendentes en el resto, que no están asociadas con el desempleo ni con el uso de antidepresivos (AU)

Objectives: To analyze the trend in suicide mortality in Andalusia from 1975 to 2012 and its relationship with unemployment and the use of antidepressants. Methods: Poisson's segmented regression models were used to estimate changes over time. The association between suicide and the factors examined was measured using Spearman's correlation coefficient. Results: Suicide mortality patterns in men and women are rising. The largest increase was found in people aged from 15 to 44 years, with an annual percentage rate change of 1.21 (95%CI: 0.7-1.7) for men and 0.93 (95%CI: 0.4-1.4) for women. Conclusions: Mortality by suicide has increased in Andalusia since 1975 in all age and gender groups except for women aged 65 years or above. During the last few decades, an upward trend has been observed in young people and a stable or falling trend in the remaining population. Temporary variations in suicide rates are not associated with unemployment rates or with changes in antidepressant prescription (AU)

Crisis económica al inicio del siglo XXI y mortalidad en España. Tendencia e impacto sobre las desigualdades sociales. Informe SESPAS 2014 / The economic crisis at the beginning of the XXI century and mortality in Spain. Trend and impact on social inequalities. SESPAS Report 2014

El objetivo de este estudio es analizar el impacto de la actual crisis económica en la evolución de la mortalidad en España y sus efectos sobre las desigualdades sociales en la mortalidad en Andalucía. Se han utilizado las defunciones procedentes de las estadísticas vitales del Instituto Nacional de Estadística para los años 1999 a 2011, así como la población correspondiente del padrón municipal de habitantes. Se calcularon tasas ajustadas de mortalidad general y específica por sexo y edad. Para estimar las tasas de mortalidad general y las razones de tasas según el nivel de estudios, entre 2002 y 2010 se utilizó la Base de Datos Longitudinal de Población de Andalucía (cohorte censal del 2001). Los porcentajes de cambio anuales y las tendencias se calcularon mediante regresión joinpoint. En España no se observa ningún cambio de tendencia significativo en la mortalidad a partir de 2008. Desde 1999 se mantiene una tendencia descendente, en ambos sexos y por todas las causas, excepto en las enfermedades del sistema nervioso. La mortalidad por accidentes de tráfico acelera su decrecimiento desde 2003. Los suicidios no modifican su tendencia negativa a lo largo del periodo. En Andalucía, las desigualdades sociales en la mortalidad general aumentaron en los hombres desde el inicio de la crisis, en el año 2008, fundamentalmente por un mayor descenso en la mortalidad en los de mayor nivel de estudios que en el resto, en un contexto de descenso de la mortalidad. En las mujeres no se observan cambios en el patrón de desigualdad (AU)

This study aimed to assess the impact of the current economic crisis on mortality trends in Spain and its effect on social inequalities in mortality in Andalusia. We used data from vital statistics and the Population Register for 1999 to 2011, as provided by the Spanish Institute of Statistics, to estimate general and sex- and age-specific mortality rates. The Longitudinal Database of the Andalusian Population (2001 census cohort) was used to estimate general mortality rates and ratios by educational level. The annual percentages of change and trends were calculated using Joinpoint regressions. No significant change in the mortality trend was observed in Spain from 2008 onward. A downward trend after 1999 was confirmed for all causes and both sexes, with the exception of nervous system-related diseases. The reduction in mortality due to traffic accidents accelerated after 2003, while the negative trend in suicide was unchanged throughout the period studied. In Andalusia, social inequalities in mortality have increased among men since the beginning of the crisis, mainly due to a more intense reduction in mortality among persons with a higher educational level. Among women, no changes were observed in the pattern of inequality (AU)

[The economic crisis at the beginning of the XXI century and mortality in Spain. Trend and impact on social inequalities. SESPAS Report 2014]. / Crisis económica al inicio del siglo xxi y mortalidad en España. Tendencia e impacto sobre las desigualdades sociales. Informe SESPAS 2014.

This study aimed to assess the impact of the current economic crisis on mortality trends in Spain and its effect on social inequalities in mortality in Andalusia. We used data from vital statistics and the Population Register for 1999 to 2011, as provided by the Spanish Institute of Statistics, to estimate general and sex- and age-specific mortality rates. The Longitudinal Database of the Andalusian Population (2001 census cohort) was used to estimate general mortality rates and ratios by educational level. The annual percentages of change and trends were calculated using Joinpoint regressions. No significant change in the mortality trend was observed in Spain from 2008 onward. A downward trend after 1999 was confirmed for all causes and both sexes, with the exception of nervous system-related diseases. The reduction in mortality due to traffic accidents accelerated after 2003, while the negative trend in suicide was unchanged throughout the period studied. In Andalusia, social inequalities in mortality have increased among men since the beginning of the crisis, mainly due to a more intense reduction in mortality among persons with a higher educational level. Among women, no changes were observed in the pattern of inequality.

[Suicide, antidepressant prescription and unemployment in Andalusia (Spain)]. / Suicidio, prescripción de antidepresivos y desempleo en Andalucía.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the trend in suicide mortality in Andalusia from 1975 to 2012 and its relationship with unemployment and the use of antidepressants. METHODS: Poisson's segmented regression models were used to estimate changes over time. The association between suicide and the factors examined was measured using Spearman's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Suicide mortality patterns in men and women are rising. The largest increase was found in people aged from 15 to 44 years, with an annual percentage rate change of 1.21 (95%CI: 0.7-1.7) for men and 0.93 (95%CI: 0.4-1.4) for women. CONCLUSIONS: Mortality by suicide has increased in Andalusia since 1975 in all age and gender groups except for women aged 65 years or above. During the last few decades, an upward trend has been observed in young people and a stable or falling trend in the remaining population. Temporary variations in suicide rates are not associated with unemployment rates or with changes in antidepressant prescription.

Mortality trends in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Europe, 1994-2010: a joinpoint regression analysis.

BACKGROUND: Findings from studies done over the past 20 years suggest that mortality from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is decreasing worldwide, but little information is available for trends in Europe. We aimed to describe COPD mortality trends by sex and calendar year for the period of 1994 to 2010. METHODS: We extracted data for COPD deaths between 1994 and 2010 in the 27 countries in the European Union (EU) from the statistical office of the EU (Eurostat), using the International Classification of Diseases 10 (ICD-10) codes J40-J44 and J47. We estimated age-standardised mortality rates (ASR), and analysed data using joinpoint regression, for women and men in the EU overall and by individual country for each year. We used the standard European population as the reference and present our findings as deaths per 100,000 person-years. We compared findings for each country with the EU average by calculating standardised rate ratios (SRR) and 95% CIs. FINDINGS: Between 1994 and 2010, there were 2,348,184 recorded COPD deaths in the EU. COPD mortality was higher in men than in women throughout the study period in all EU countries. In the EU overall, deaths per 100,000 population decreased in men almost linearly from 90·07 in 1994 to 61·33 in 2010, and in women from 26·99 in 1994 to 25·15 in 2010, representing a narrowing in gender gap over the study period. Several countries had a higher SRR mortality than the EU average-eg, Ireland, Hungary, and Belgium for men and Denmark, the UK, and the Netherlands for women. Our joinpoint regression analysis identified no statistically significant changes in the trend for the whole EU, but several countries had changing trends over the study period. In men, we recorded a 2·56% constant and statistically significant decrease in ASRs in the EU. Five countries had an increase in ASR. Overall, in women, we recorded a 0·76% statistically significant decrease in ASRs. 14 countries had an increase in ASR. INTERPRETATION: Our findings indicate a downward trend in COPD mortality in Europe between 1994 and 2010. The data also suggest a narrowing of the gap between COPD mortality in men and in women. The wide heterogeneity in mortality rates within European countries could serve as a reference to allow informed policy making. FUNDING: None.

The lung cancer epidemic in Spanish women: an analysis of mortality rates over a 37-year period.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer continues to be the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the European Union (EU) and deaths from lung cancer have been projected to escalate to epidemic proportions amongst females over the next years. We examined lung cancer mortality rates in men and women from Andalusia (Spain) over a 37-year period [1975-2012]. METHODS: Longitudinal epidemiological study analyzing lung cancer mortality trends in males and females. Data on lung cancer mortality in Andalusia for the period 1975-2012 were obtained from the official cause-of-death publications of the Institute of Statistics of Andalusia. For each sex, age-standardized (European standard population) mortality rates (ASR) from lung cancer were calculated for all ages and truncated at 30-64, 65-74, and >75 years using the direct method. Standardized rate trends by age and sex were estimated by joinpoint regression analysis. RESULTS: In men, the ASR steadily increased through the period 1993-1995, reaching a peak of 145.72 deaths/100,000 people. Subsequently, lung cancer deaths decreased to a rate of 125.47 in the 2011-2012 period. A moderate increase was seen in women until the late 1990s and early 2000s. Thereafter, a very notable rise was observed in females for all age groups, the only exception being older subjects. The sex differences decreased from 8.6:1 in the 1975-1977 period to 6.8:1 in the 2011-2012 period. CONCLUSIONS: Lung cancer mortality rates decreased significantly in Andalusian men from 1975 to 2012. More importantly, we demonstrate for the first time the beginning of the lung cancer epidemics in Andalusian women as previously predicted for this area.

Characteristics of subjects who died of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Andalusia in 2010 and 2011.

BACKGROUND: The place of death is an important consideration in the end-of-life care of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe the place of death for patients with COPD in Andalusia (Spain) and the determinants of death at home compared to death outside of home. DESIGN: This observational study analyzed place of death from death certificates for the years 2010 and 2011 in Andalusia, Spain (over 8 million inhabitants, 17.8% of the Spanish population). MEASUREMENTS: Death certificates obtained from the Institute of Statistics and Cartography of Andalusia were used to describe where patients with COPD died. All deaths with ICD-10 codes J40 to J44 or J47 (International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision) were included for the years 2010 and 2011. Upon review of the death certificates, the following data were recorded: age, sex, marital status, rural areas, and place of death. RESULTS: Out of a total of 119,589 decedents, the research team retrieved the place of death for 4983 subjects. The chance of dying at home was higher for COPD patients aged ≥ 89 years and for females. Married and widowed persons had a greater likelihood of dying at home than singles. Moreover, the likelihood of death at home was higher for individuals residing in rural areas. CONCLUSIONS: Age, sex, marital status, and rural areas of residence determine where COPD patients will end their life in Andalusia. Knowledge about place of death and its determinants will facilitate the planning of health care palliative services.

Desigualdades en mortalidad entre Andalucía y España desde 1990 hasta 2010 / Inequalities in mortality between Andalusia and Spain from 1990 to 2010

Objetivo: Describir las desigualdades en la mortalidad general entre Andalucía y España, por sexo y grupos de edad, entre 1990 y 2010. Métodos: Con las defunciones de Andalucía y España procedentes del Registro de Mortalidad de Andalucía y del Instituto Nacional de Estadística, y las poblaciones por sexo y grupo de edad correspondientes, se han calculado las tasas de mortalidad brutas y estandarizadas por edad y sexo, así como las tasas específicas por sexo y grupos de edad. Posteriormente se han estimado las razones de tasas estandarizadas entre Andalucía y España. Para valorar las tendencias se han construido modelos de regresión joinpoint. Resultados: Andalucía presentó una mayor mortalidad que España en todos los años, en hombres y mujeres. Las razones de tasas fueron superiores en Andalucía, pasando del 11% al 14% entre 1990 y 2010 en los hombres y del 9% al 11% en las mujeres. Por grupos de edad, los hombres y las mujeres de Andalucía tuvieron mayor mortalidad que la media española, excepto los menores de 45 años en los primeros años de la serie. Las tendencias fueron descendentes en Andalucía y España, en hombres y mujeres y en todos los grupos de edad. Conclusiones: Andalucía tiene una mayor mortalidad que la media española, con una tendencia que desciende a un ritmo ligeramente inferior a la de España, por lo que se han incrementado las desigualdades. De continuar esta situación, la convergencia de Andalucía con España no se producirá en un futuro próximo (AU)

Objectives: To describe inequalities in mortality between Andalusia and Spain as a whole by sex and age group between 1990 and 2010. Methods: Deaths in Andalusia and Spain were obtained from the Andalusian Mortality Registry and the National Institute of Statistics, respectively. Population data, classified by sex and age group, were obtained from the National Institute of Statistics. Crude and age- and sex-adjusted standardized mortality rates were calculated. Additionally, standardized rate ratios between Andalusia and Spain were estimated, and joinpoint regression models were built to assess trends. Results: In both sexes and in all the years studied, mortality was higher in Andalusia than in Spain as a whole. Rate ratios increased from 11% of men in Andalusia in 1990 to 14% in 2010 and from 9% of women in 1990 to 11% in 2010. By age group, mortality was higher than the Spanish average in Andalusian men and women, except in those aged less than 45 years in the first few years of the series. In both sexes and in all age groups, there were downward trends in Andalusia and Spain. Conclusion: Mortality in Andalusia is higher than the Spanish average with a tendency to decrease at a slightly slower rate than in Spain, indicating that inequalities have increased. If this tendency continues, mortality in Andalusia will not converge with the Spanish average in the near future (AU)

Mortalidad general y por causas en la población autóctona e inmigante en Andalucía / All-cause and cause-specific mortality in the immigrant and native-born populations in Andalusia (Spain)

Objetivos Comparar la mortalidad de autóctonos e inmigrantes en Andalucía entre 2006 y 2010, y caracterizarla por causas. Material y métodos Con las defunciones registradas en las estadísticas de mortalidad por causas y las poblaciones de los padrones de habitantes agregadas por países de nacimiento en autóctonos e inmigrantes, y los inmigrantes en seis zonas de procedencia geográfica, se calcularon las tasas brutas y estandarizadas por edad de mortalidad general y sus causas, para las edades de 0 a 39 años, 40 a 65 años, y 65 años y más, en hombres y mujeres. Resultados En el grupo de 0 a 39 años de edad, los inmigrantes tuvieron mayor mortalidad que los autóctonos debido a causas externas; destacaron los africanos, con tasas estandarizadas de 142 y 145 defunciones por 100.000 en mujeres y hombres, respectivamente. En especial fueron importantes las muertes por causas maternas entre las africanas. En el grupo de 40 a 64 años de edad, las mujeres inmigrantes tuvieron mayor mortalidad que las autóctonas y los hombres menos, y sobresalieron las mujeres africanas y los hombres procedentes de Europa y Norteamérica. En el grupo de 65 años y más, la población autóctona tuvo mayor mortalidad que la inmigrante en ambos sexos, debido a los cánceres y las causas cardiovasculares. Conclusiones Las diferencias en la mortalidad entre la población inmigrante y la autóctona dependen de la edad, el sexo, las causas y la zona geográfica de nacimiento. Se observa una mayor mortalidad de las personas de edad avanzada autóctonas debido a enfermedades crónicas degenerativas, y al contrario en edades jóvenes ocasionadas por accidentes (AU)

Objetivos Comparar la mortalidad de autóctonos e inmigrantes en Andalucía entre 2006 y 2010, y caracterizarla por causas. Material y métodos Con las defunciones registradas en las estadísticas de mortalidad por causas y las poblaciones de los padrones de habitantes agregadas por países de nacimiento en autóctonos e inmigrantes, y los inmigrantes en seis zonas de procedencia geográfica, se calcularon las tasas brutas y estandarizadas por edad de mortalidad general y sus causas, para las edades de 0 a 39 años, 40 a 65 años, y 65 años y más, en hombres y mujeres. Resultados En el grupo de 0 a 39 años de edad, los inmigrantes tuvieron mayor mortalidad que los autóctonos debido a causas externas; destacaron los africanos, con tasas estandarizadas de 142 y 145 defunciones por 100.000 en mujeres y hombres, respectivamente. En especial fueron importantes las muertes por causas maternas entre las africanas. En el grupo de 40 a 64 años de edad, las mujeres inmigrantes tuvieron mayor mortalidad que las autóctonas y los hombres menos, y sobresalieron las mujeres africanas y los hombres procedentes de Europa y Norteamérica. En el grupo de 65 años y más, la población autóctona tuvo mayor mortalidad que la inmigrante en ambos sexos, debido a los cánceres y las causas cardiovasculares. Conclusiones Las diferencias en la mortalidad entre la población inmigrante y la autóctona dependen de la edad, el sexo, las causas y la zona geográfica de nacimiento. Se observa una mayor mortalidad de las personas de edad avanzada autóctonas debido a enfermedades crónicas degenerativas, y al contrario en edades jóvenes ocasionadas por accidentes (AU)

[Inequalities in mortality between Andalusia and Spain from 1990 to 2010]. / Desigualdades en mortalidad entre Andalucía y España desde 1990 hasta 2010.

OBJECTIVES: To describe inequalities in mortality between Andalusia and Spain as a whole by sex and age group between 1990 and 2010. METHODS: Deaths in Andalusia and Spain were obtained from the Andalusian Mortality Registry and the National Institute of Statistics, respectively. Population data, classified by sex and age group, were obtained from the National Institute of Statistics. Crude and age- and sex-adjusted standardized mortality rates were calculated. Additionally, standardized rate ratios between Andalusia and Spain were estimated, and joinpoint regression models were built to assess trends. RESULTS: In both sexes and in all the years studied, mortality was higher in Andalusia than in Spain as a whole. Rate ratios increased from 11% of men in Andalusia in 1990 to 14% in 2010 and from 9% of women in 1990 to 11% in 2010. By age group, mortality was higher than the Spanish average in Andalusian men and women, except in those aged less than 45 years in the first few years of the series. In both sexes and in all age groups, there were downward trends in Andalusia and Spain. CONCLUSION: Mortality in Andalusia is higher than the Spanish average with a tendency to decrease at a slightly slower rate than in Spain, indicating that inequalities have increased. If this tendency continues, mortality in Andalusia will not converge with the Spanish average in the near future.