Trend of leukemia death in middle-aged and elderly residents in Ningbo in Zhejiang,2002-2011

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of leukemia deaths in middle-aged and elderly people in Ningbo and provide evidence for the aetiological study and population based prevention and control. Methods The analysis was conducted on the death of leukemia in residents in Ningbo from 2002-2011, and crude mortality, standardized mortality and age specific mortality were calculated. Results From 2002 to 2011, the average annual mortality of leukemia in middle-aged and elderly people was 7.45/lakh. The mortality was 8.52/lakh in males, 6.38/lakh in females, the difference was statistical significant ( 2=33.02, P0.001). The male to female ratio of leukemia deaths was 1.34: 1. The age-specific mortalities were highest in age group 80 years both in males and in females (20.13/lakh and 11.75/lakh, respectively). The mortality of leukemia of middle-aged and elderly residents was in increase from 2002 to 2011 (2=4.50, P=0.03). The mortality of leukemia began to increase in age group 45-90 years, (2=344.06, P0.001) with an increase of 55.05%, and declined in age group 85 years. Conclusion As the aging of the population, leukemia poses more serious threaten to public health. It is necessary to strengthen the surveillance of leukemia and aetiological study for the target prevention and control of leukemia.