Secular trends in mortality from asthma in children and young adults: Republic of Ireland, 1970-91.

Trends in mortality attributed to asthma in children (0-14 years) and young adults (15-44 years) and the age group 5-34 years were examined for the Republic of Ireland over the period 1970-91. Childhood mortality rates were low with no clear trend. A recent rise in asthma mortality was observed in the 5-34 year olds but not in the 15-44 year age group. More detailed examination of these rates revealed that the rise in mortality in the 5-34 year olds derived from the age band 25-34 years. This increase is masked in the 15-44 year age group by wide fluctuations in mortality in the age band 35-44 years. A similar discrepancy in asthma mortality trends for the 15-44 and 5-34 year age groups has been reported in Britain. Possible reasons for the recent rise in asthma mortality in the 25-34 year age group are discussed.