[Alcohol measurement in traffic accidents: how long will the ostrich strategy last?]

[Evolution of the mortality attributable to alcohol consumption in Catalonia, 1988-1997]

OBJECTIVE

To analyse the evolution of mortality attributable to alcohol (MAA) and the potential years of life lost (PYLL) due to alcohol consumption in Catalonia between 1988 and 1997.

DESIGN

Retrospective, descriptive study of mortality.

SETTING

Catalonia 1988-1997.

PARTICIPANTS

Residents in Catalonia. Main measurements. Deaths occurring in Catalonia for the 36 causes of MAA between 1988 and 1997 were studied. The MAA, proportional mortality and the PYLL for each year were calculated on the basis of the population fractions attributable to alcohol (FPAA). Evolution of proportional mortality was studied with the chi2 test for linear trends. Evolution of the MAA and the PYLL were studied through regression straights and Pearson s correlation coefficient.

RESULTS

5.5% of deaths in Catalonia between 1988 and 1997 were attributable to alcohol. Men contributed most deaths (65.8%) and PYLL (80%). Traffic accidents were the most common form of death in men (15.3%), and cerebro-vascular diseases (25.9%) in women. Traffic accidents caused most PYLL (43.3%). Both a steady reduction in proportional mortality, dropping from 6.2% in 1988 to 4.8% in 1997 (chi2=213.4; P<.00001), and a fall in the total MAA (P<.05) and PYLL (P<.05) were found.

CONCLUSIONS

There are gender differences in the numbers and most common causes of MAA. There was a steady drop in the number of MAA and PYLL during the period studied, basically due to the drop in deaths caused by traffic accidents. Similarly, proportional mortality dropped, drawing close to the 4% proposed in the Health Plan for Catalonia.

[Mortality attributable to alcohol in Catalonia and its provinces]

OBJECTIVES

To calculate the contribution of alcohol consumption to mortality in Catalonia in 1997, and its impact on premature mortality. To evaluate whether inter-provincial differences exist.

DESIGN

Descriptive ecological study.

SETTING

Catalonia.

PATIENTS

Deaths of residents of Catalonia in 1997 for a cause related to excess alcohol consumption.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The data on the causes of death in Catalonia in 1997 were provided by the Catalonia Death Register. The population fractions attributable to alcohol used were those recommended by the United States Centers for Disease Control in 1987. Mortality attributable to alcohol and the potential years of life lost were calculated for Catalonia as a whole and province by province. 4.8% of mortality in Catalonia in 1997 was related to excessive alcohol consumption. Mortality was higher in men (6.0%) than in women (3.5%). By diagnostic groups, malignant neoplasms (29.9%) contributed to the greatest number of deaths attributable to alcohol, whereas non-intentional accidents was the greatest cause of premature death (50.9%). As a specific cause, the greatest number of potential years of life lost was due to motor vehicle accidents. The highest mortality rate due to alcohol in non-intentional accidents and the lowest risk of death from digestive diseases were in all the provinces rather than in Barcelona.

CONCLUSION

This study highlighted the importance of alcohol in the mortality figures, its contribution to premature death and the existence of major differences depending on the province of residence, especially in non-intentional accidents.