Mortalità per malattie respiratorie in Italia (1990-2010). Parte I: Metodi e tassi grezzi nazionali e per regione.

In the 70s and 80s, in Italy, mortality of the diseases of the respiratory system (MAR) showed a moderate decrease. On the opposite, there was an increase in mortality due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate mortality rates of MAR, particularly chronic respiratory diseases (MRC), in the '90s and in the first decade of the new millennium. The results are presented into two separate reports. In the current first report (Part I), we observed that in Italy, in the period 1990-2010, there was a progressive increase in deaths due to MAR and MRC. The crude mortality rates for MAR, after a fluctuating trend, tend to moderately increase in the new millennium. Mortality rates for MAR result more elevated in Northern than in Southern Italy, and they tend evidently to decrease in the Islands and to increase in the Central Italy. In general, mortality rates for MRC, after a downward trend, tend to increase moderately in the last monitored years. Differently from MAR, mortality rates for MRC are more elevated in Southern Italy (especially) and in the Islands than in Northern and Central Italy. From 1990 to 2010, mortality rates for MRC show a moderate decrease in all geographic macro-areas, except for Central Italy. It is to point out that a correct evaluation on mortality trends has to consider also the confounding effect of the age. Standardized mortality rates, as well as a comparison to Europe, and conclusions are reported in our second report on mortality in Italy (Part II).