Age-adjusted mortality rate and regional distribution for prostatic carcinoma in Italy between 1969 and 1978.

The age-adjusted mortality rate for prostatic carcinoma in Italy between 1969 and 1978 was calculated, as was the regional distribution for this disease. An overall increase in mortality was found, but the increase of the age-adjusted data was not statistically significant. The regional distribution of age-adjusted mortality rate showed a difference between northern and southern Italy, even when errors that can affect these findings were taken into consideration. At present, however, the size of these errors is not known. Such factors should not, however, prevent development of useful information and indications, but they should not be overlooked in an analytical interpretation of the data.