The decline in asthma hospitalisations in persons aged 0-34 years in New Zealand.

AIMS

Hospitalisation rates for asthma for the 0-14 year and five-34 year age ranges have been examined from 1969 to 1993 to determine whether the rise observed between the 1960s and 1980s has continued into the 1990s.

RESULTS

In the 0-14 age range, hospitalisations peaked in 1986 then fell by 18.7% by 1993. There was a corresponding rise in hospitalisation rates for acute bronchitis/bronchiolitis and it is possible that the fall in asthma hospitalisations in this age range is at least partly explained by diagnostic transfer. On the other hand, the trends in the five-34 age range appear unlikely to be explained by diagnostic transfer. The rate peaked in 1986 and fell by 34.7% by 1993, with most of the decline occurring after 1989. This in part parallels the trends in mortality in this age range, which saw a sudden fall in the death rate in 1989.

CONCLUSIONS

New Zealand is not only benefiting from a marked fall in asthma deaths, but is also benefiting from a marked decline in asthma hospitalisations in young adults, and probably also in children.