Benatar S R, Ainslie G M
S Afr Med J. 1986 May 24;69(11):669-71.
During the 3-year period 1980 - 1982, 351 patients were certified as having died from asthma in the Cape Town City Council area. An additional cause of death was listed in 120 of these. Of the 231 patients certified as having died from asthma only, 179 (77.5%) were over 40 years of age. The circumstances surrounding death in 28 of the remaining 52 patients under the age of 40 years are described. Inadequate assessment and therapy were major contributing factors. The incidence of death from asthma in Cape Town is three times greater than in the UK. It is probable that this also applies in other parts of the RSA. There is a need for improved education of health care professionals and patients about this common disease and for better community facilities for its treatment.
在1980年至1982年的3年期间，开普敦市议会辖区内有351名患者被证明死于哮喘。其中120人还列出了其他死因。在仅被证明死于哮喘的231名患者中，179人（77.5%）年龄超过40岁。本文描述了其余52名40岁以下患者中28人的死亡情况。评估和治疗不足是主要促成因素。开普敦哮喘死亡率是英国的三倍。这一情况可能在南非共和国其他地区也同样存在。有必要加强对医护人员和患者关于这种常见疾病的教育，并改善社区治疗设施。
