 |
|
Diarrheal Deaths in the United States, 1979 Through 1987A Special Problem for the Elderly
Judy F. Lew, MD;
Roger I. Glass, MD, PhD;
Raymond E. Gangarosa, MD, MPH;
Ivan P. Cohen;
Caryn Bern, MD;
Christine L. Moe, PhD
JAMA. 1991;265(24):3280-3284.
Abstract
| |
Objective.—
Diarrhea is an important cause of death among young children in both developing and developed countries, but little is known about diarrheal deaths among adults. In this study, we examined trends in diarrheal deaths among all age groups in the United States.
Design/Setting/Participants.—
We reviewed national mortality data compiled by the National Center for Health Statistics, Hyattsville, Md, which consist of information from all death certificates filed in the United States for the period 1979 through 1987. A death for which diarrhea was listed as an immediate or underlying cause was considered a "diarrheal death" and included in the analysis.
Results.—
We found that 28 538 persons died of diarrhea cited as either an immediate or the underlying cause of death during the 9-year period. A majority of diarrheal deaths occurred among the elderly (older than 74 years of age, 51%), followed by adults 55 to 74 years of age (27%), and young children ( younger than 5 years of age, 11%). For the elderly, adjusted risk factors for dying of diarrhea included being white, female, and residing in a long-term care facility. Only the elderly and young children had clear, distinct winter peaks of diarrheal deaths, suggesting that the diarrhea may, in part, be infectious in origin.
Conclusion.—
For the elderly, more directed studies of those at risk, such as nursing home residents, are needed to determine if oral rehydration therapy, vaccines, or other preventive measures might benefit this population.
(JAMA. 1991;265:3280-3284)
Author Affiliations
From the Viral Gastroenteritis Unit, Respiratory and Enteric Virus Branch, Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Ga(Drs Lew, Glass, Bern, and Moe); School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Ga (Dr Gangarosa); Visiting Mathematics Student, Lycee Saint-Louis, Paris, France (Mr Cohen).
Footnotes
Reprint requests to Mailstop G-04, Viral Gastroenteritis Unit, Respiratory and Enteric Virus Branch, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, GA 30333 (Dr Lew).
 CiteULike  Connotea  Del.icio.us  Digg  Reddit  Technorati  Twitter
What's this?
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES
The Sonoma Water Evaluation Trial: A Randomized Drinking Water Intervention Trial to Reduce Gastrointestinal Illness in Older Adults
Colford et al.
AJPH 2009;99:1988-1995.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Inhibition of enterotoxin-induced porcine colonic secretion by diarylsulfonylureas in vitro
O'Donnell et al.
Am. J. Physiol. Gastrointest. Liver Physiol. 2000;279:G1104-G1112.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Foodborne Illnesses and Nutritional Status: A Statement from an American Society for Nutritional Sciences Working Group
King et al.
J. Nutr. 2000;130:2613-2617.
FULL TEXT
Drinking water turbidity and gastrointestinal illness in the elderly of Philadelphia
Schwartz et al.
J. Epidemiol. Community Health 2000;54:45-51.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Infectious Diarrhea
Orlando
Journal of Pharmacy Practice 1997;10:75-89.
ABSTRACT
Trends of Diarrheal Disease--Associated Mortality in US Children, 1968 Through 1991
Kilgore et al.
JAMA 1995;274:1143-1148.
ABSTRACT
|
