Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency deaths in the United States from 1979-1991. An analysis using multiple-cause mortality data.
OBJECTIVE
To describe trends of reported alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency mortality in the United States from 1979-1991.


METHODS
We analyzed death certificate reports in the multiple-cause mortality files compiled by the National Center for Health Statistics.


RESULTS
Of the 26,866,600 deaths that occurred during the 13-year period, 1,930 had alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency listed as a cause of death. Over this period, we would have expected 5,400 to 13,400 persons with this condition to die. The age-adjusted mortality rate with reported alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency listed increased 86%, from 4.3 per 10 million in 1979 to 8.0 per 10 million in 1991. alpha 1-Antitrypsin deficiency mortality rates were higher among whites than among blacks or persons of other races. alpha 1-Antitrypsin deficiency was listed in 2.7% of all deaths with obstructive lung disease among persons aged 35-44 years old and in 1.2% of all deaths listing hepatic disease among children aged 1 to 14 years old.


CONCLUSIONS
alpha 1-Antitrypsin deficiency is an important risk factor for obstructive lung disease and hepatic disease in the United States, and it was reported with increasing frequency through the study period, although it is still likely underreported.
Browne
R J
RJ
Air Pollution and Respiratory Health Branch, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, USA.
Mannino
D M
DM
Khoury
M J
MJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002423:Cause of Death; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D019896:alpha 1-Antitrypsin Deficiency