Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is a lung disease that is often related
to occupation. This inflammation of the lungs is caused by repeated
inhalation of foreign substances such as organic dust, fungus, or mold.
Examples of this disease are farmers’ lung, mushroom workers’
lung, and bird fanciers’ disease.
The annual number of deaths with hypersensitivity pneumonitis as an
underlying or contributing cause generally increased from fewer than
20 per year before 1983 to 57 in 1999 (Figure 2–165). A geographic
distribution of age-adjusted rates is presented in Figure 2–166.
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis mortality rates for 1990–1999 were
highest in the upper Midwest and northern Plains States, along with
Vermont and Idaho. Nearly 29% of decedents during 1990–1999 were
women, and 95.7% were white (Figure 2–167).
Magnitude and Trend
How did the pattern of mortality from hypersensitivity pneumonitis change during 1979–1999?
 | Figure 2-165 Number of deaths of U.S. residents aged 15 or older with hypersensitivity pneumonitis recorded as an underlying or contributing cause on the death certificate, 1979-1999. The annual number of hypersensitivity pneumonitis deaths generally increased during 1979-1999, from fewer than 15 per year in 1979 to 57 in 1999. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis was designated as the underlying cause of death in at least half of deaths associated with hypersensitivity pneumonitis for every year except 1982. (Source: NIOSH [2002e].) |
Rates among States
How did mortality rates for hypersensitivity pneumonitis differ by State?
 | Figure 2-166 Age-adjusted mortality rates for hypersensitivity pneumonitis in U.S. residents aged 15 and older by State, 1990-1999. States with higher hypersensitivity pneumonitis mortality rates during 1990-1999 were in the upper Midwest, the northern Plains and Mountain States, and New England. In the group of States with the highest mortality from hypersensitivity pneumonitis, rates ranged from three to five times the U.S. rate of 0.2 per million. (Source: NIOSH [2002e].) |
Sex and Race
How is hypersensitivity pneumonitis mortality distributed by sex and race?
 | Figure 2-167 Distribution and number of hypersensitivity pneumonitis deaths in U.S. residents aged 15 or older by sex and race, 1990-1999. Nearly 29% of hypersensitivity pneumonitis deaths occurred in women during 1990-1999. White residents accounted for 95.7% of hypersensitivity pneumonitis deaths during this period. (Source: NIOSH [2002e].) |
