Abstract

NICOLAU, Rita; MACHADO, Ausenda; NUNES, Baltazar  and  FALCAO, José Marinho. Spatial analysis of comparative mortality figures associated to malignant neoplasm of respiratory and intrathoracic organs: an application to mainland Portugal municipalities. Rev. Port. Sau. Pub. [online]. 2009, vol.27, n.2, pp.7-16. ISSN 0870-9025.

Malignant neoplasm of respiratory and intrathoracic organs is the third most common neoplasm in Portugal. Previous studies applied to mainland Portugal administrative regions confirmed that age standardized mortality rates associated to this neoplasm show differences between regions. The present study aims to analyse such variations by municipalities (NUT IV level) and to identify spatial clusters with high and low mortality risk by this cause of death. Considering the 2000-2004 period, the mortality data associated to malignant neoplasm of respiratory and intrathoracic organs was aggregated by municipalities of mainland Portugal. For each municipality, average annual age standardized mortality rates and comparative mortality figures were calculated by gender. The identification of spatial clusters (groups of contiguous municipalities) with high and low values was achieved through spatial autocorrelation+- analysis of comparative mortality figures per gender. This analysis involved the evaluation of local and global Moran statistics. For men, the spatial distribution of comparative mortality figures revealed relevant geographic variation, with high risk areas in several municipalities of Alentejo region (NUT II) and in municipalities of the two main metropolitan areas (Lisbon and Oporto). The distribution of comparative mortality figures associated to women did not reveal any relevant spatial pattern. The results obtained for men point out that the risk of death by this neoplasm is not independent from spatial locations. This finding advises further research on the identification of several factors (socioeconomic or environmental) that may help to explain the observed geographical variation.

Keywords : comparative mortality figures; malignant neoplasm of respiratory and intrathoracic organs; spatial analysis; mainland Portugal municipalities.

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