Analysis of Deaths Caused by Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases in Pomerania Province in 2001–2004

Introduction: Lung diseases, especially COPD, are one of the leading causes of death. The aim of the study was to assess mortality caused by COPD, asthma and cor pulmonale in the years 2001–2004 in the Pomerania province. Material and methods: Death certificates of patients who died of asthma, COPD or cor pulmonale registered in Regional Health Centre were analyzed. Results: The mortality rate for COPD was 14.02/100,000, asthma 2.04/100,000 and cor pulmonale 2.4/100,000 inhabitants. Mortality rate from COPD increased from 12.5/100,000 found in 2001 to 15.6/100,000 found in 2004 (p = 0.005). The number of deaths was higher in the winter time. The peak mortality was found in patients 65 years old. 71% of COPD and cor pulmonale patients died in the hospital, whereas 75% of asthma deaths occurred at home (p = 0.0001). Conclusions: The mortality rates from chronic respiratory diseases in the analyzed population are comparable to data found in other studies. The alarming result is the increase in the number of COPD deaths and high percentage of asthma patients who die at home.