[Trends in mortality due to respiratory diseases in elderly, Brazil, 1980 to 1998].
BACKGROUND
The increase in life expectancy and the decline in mortality rates in Brazil have an impact on social programs to the elderly, especially related to health care. The objective of the study isto analyze the mortality trends for respiratory diseases in elderly.


METHODS
An ecological time series was carried out and mortality data was obtained from the Mortality Information System of the Ministry of Health (SIM/MS-DATA-SUS). it was analyzed the time trends of standardized mortality rates according to age groups (60 to 69, 70 to 79 and 80 years old and more) and gender, using linear regression models. The proportional mortality for this disease group compared to all causes of death was also studied.


RESULTS
There were increasing trends for mortality rates in both sexes, especially among males. The proportion of deaths due to respiratory diseases was higher among older ages.


CONCLUSIONS
Respiratory diseases are one of the main causes of hospitalization and death in the elderly population. Prevention and care for elderly, as well as further etiology studies should be a priority in Brazil.
Francisco
Priscila Maria Stolses Bergamo
PM
Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brasil. pricila@nepo.unicamp.br
Donalisio
Maria Rita de Camargo
MR
Lattorre
Maria do Rosário Dias de Oliveira
Mdo R
D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality / Q000639:trends; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000401:mortality*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D016008:Statistical Distributions; D015996:Survival Rate
Tendência da mortalidade por doenças respiratórias em idosos do Estado de São Paulo, 1980 a 1998.