Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Mortality

Chronic Diseases

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) refers to a group of diseases that cause airflow blockage and breathing-related problems. COPD and other chronic lower respiratory disease were responsible for more than 1,000 deaths in Simcoe Muskoka between 2000 and 2005 and were the fourth leading cause of death during that time period.

The age-standardized mortality rate for COPD in Simcoe Muskoka for all ages and sexes in 2005 was 32.7 (28.3, 37.1) per 100,000 population, which was significantly higher than the Ontario rate of 21.8 (21.1, 25.6) per 100,000 population. In 2005, the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for COPD deaths in Simcoe Muskoka compared with Ontario was 1.50 (1.30, 1.70), which means that there was a 50 per cent greater COPD mortality experience in Simcoe Muskoka relative to Ontario in 2005.

Figure one shows the trend in COPD mortality rates for Simcoe Muskoka and Ontario over the six year period between 2000 and 2005. The rates in Ontario have remained relatively stable over this six year period. The rates in Simcoe Muskoka rate have been consistently higher than the Ontario rates over this time period. No significant trends in COPD deaths in Simcoe Muskoka are apparent over this time period.

In 2005, the age-standardized COPD mortality rate among Simcoe Muskoka males was 43.6 (35.5, 51.6) per 100,000, which was higher than the female rate of 25.7 (20.5, 30.9) per 100,000. These rates were significantly higher than 2005 Ontario rates for both males and females.

Figure two shows the trend in COPD mortality rates for males and females in Simcoe Muskoka between 2000 and 2005. No significant trends in COPD deaths in Simcoe Muskoka among males or females are apparent over this time period. The COPD mortality rates among males have been consistently higher than the rates among females over the six years.

The risk of dying from COPD increases exponentially with age (see figure three). The age-specific mortality rate of diabetes mellitus deaths between 2000 and 2005 (combined) in Simcoe Muskoka was highest among those 75 years and older at 306.8 (280.4, 333.3) deaths per 100,000. This was nearly four times the rate for those 65 to 74 years of age and more than 20 times the rate for those 45 to 64 years of age.