[The impact of AIDS in the global mortality in Catalonia, 1981-1993].
OBJECTIVE
To compare the evolution of the principal causes of death in Catalonia, Spain and to assess the impact of AIDS as a contributing factor to the increase of mortality in young people in Catalonia.


METHODS
Data from the mortality register of Department of Health in Catalonia has been used. We have compared the principal causes of death in Catalonia for the global population and for the group of 20 to 39 year olds. We have calculated the potential years of life lost (PYLL) between the ages of 13 to 65.


RESULTS
Since the first case of AIDS in 1981, AIDS has been the cause of death with the most important increase for the global population in Catalonia. AIDS is the sixth cause of death and the first cause of PYLL. For the young population in Catalonia (aged 20-39) AIDS became, in 1993, the first cause of death. From 1992 to 1993 the PYLL due to AIDS increased 5% in men and 51% in women.


CONCLUSIONS
The present situation has led AIDS being the first cause of death among young population. The collaboration between mortality registers and AIDS registers is absolutely essential to assess more accurately the impact of AIDS on the mortality of population.
Blanch Mur
C
C
Department de Sanitat i Seguretat Social, Centre d'Estudis Epidemiològics sobre la SIDA de Catalunya (CEESCAT).
Vall Mayans
M
M
Mompart Penina
A
A
Pérez Albarracín
G
G
Casabona Barbarà
J
J
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000401:mortality; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002423:Cause of Death; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality; D012042:Registries; D013030:Spain
Impacto del sida en la mortalidad global de Cataluña, 1981-1993.