Background Asturias is one of the communities with the highest rates of hospital admission for asthma in Spain. The environmental pollution or people lifestyle are some of the factors that contribute to the appearance or aggravation of this illness. The aim of this study was to show the spatial distribution of asthma admissions risks in the central municipalities of Asturias and to analyze the observed spatial patterns. Methods Urgent hospital admissions for asthma and status asthmaticus occurred between 2016 to 2018 on the public hospitals of the central area of Asturias were used. Population data were assigned in 5 age groups. Standardised admission ratio (SAR), smoothed relative risk (SRR) and posterior risk probability (PP) were calculated for each census tract (CT). A spatial trend analysis was run, a spatial autocorrelation index (Morans I) was calculated and a cluster and outlier analysis (Anselin Local Morans I) was finally performed in order to analyze spatial clusters. Results The total number of hospital urgent asthma admissions during the study period was 2324, 1475 (63.46%) men and 849 (36.56%) women. The municipalities with the highest values of SRR and PP were located on the northwest area: Avilés, Gozón, Carreño, Corvera de Asturias, Castrillón and Illas. A high risk cluster was found for the municipalities of Avilés, Gozón y Corvera de Asturias. Conclusions The spatial analysis showed high risk of hospitalization for asthma on the municipalities of the northwest area of the study, which highlight the existence of spatial inequalities on the distribution of urgent hospital admissions.

Hospitalizations for ischemic heart disease have an uneven distribution throughout Spain, in which Asturias is the community with the highest rates of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and angina pectoris (AP). Cardiovascular diseases are related to environmental, socioeconomic and previous medical conditions, which result in geographical differences in the incidence of hospital admissions and mortality. The goal of this study was to describe the spatial distribution of hospital admissions in the central area of Asturias and explore the existence of spatial patterns or clusters. Urgent hospital admissions for AMI and angina AP in the hospitals of the central area of Asturias were registered, geocoded and grouped by census tracts. Standardized admission ratio, smoothed relative risk, posterior risk probability and analysis of spatial clusters between relative risks throughout the study area were calculated and mapped. Geographical differences were found in the distribution of hospital admissions for AMI and AP across the area and between men and women. The cluster analysis indicated contiguous census tracts with high relative risk values in the northwest region of the study area and low relative risk in the east, particularly for men. The geographical analysis shows the existence of patterns and spatial clusters in the incidence of AMI and AP, for both men and women, in the central area of Asturias.

BackgroundCardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide; it is estimated that they cause 17 million deaths annually. In 2019, there were more than 29,000 deaths, and in 2018, ischemic heart diseases cause more than 118,000 hospitalisations in Spain. There is an unevenly distribution throughout the different autonomous communities, being Asturias the community with the highest rate for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and angina pectoris (AP) of the country. Cardiovascular diseases are related to environmental, socioeconomic and previous medical conditions which result in geographical differences in the incidence of hospital admissions and mortality. To know the distribution of hospital admissions in the central area of Asturias and the existence of spatial patterns or clusters is the goal of this study.MethodsUrgent hospital admissions for AMI and angina AP in the hospitals of the central area of Asturias were registered, geocoded and grouped by census tracts. Standardised admission ratio, smoothed relative risk and posterior risk probability, together with analysis of spatial clusters between relative risks throughout the study area were calculated and mapped.ResultsGeographical differences were found in the distribution of hospital admissions for AMI and AP in the study area. The cluster analysis indicated aggregates of census tracts with high relative risk values in the northwest region of the study area.ConclusionThe geographical analysis shows the existence of patterns and spatial aggregations in the incidence of AMI and AP, for men and women, in the central area of Asturias.

Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the major causes of mortality worldwide and also reports high morbidity rates and the global burden COPD has continued to rise over the last several decades. The best-known COPD risk factors are tobacco smoke and air pollution, but genetics, age, sex, and socioeconomic status are additional factors. This study aimed to assess the spatial distribution of unscheduled COPD hospital admissions of men and women in the central area of Asturias during 2016–2018 and identify trends, spatial patterns, or clusters in the area. Methods Unscheduled COPD hospital admissions in the central area of Asturias were registered, geocoded, and grouped by census tracts (CTs), age, and sex. Standardized admission ratio, smoothed relative risk, posterior risk probability, and spatial clusters between relative risks throughout the study area were calculated and mapped. Results The spatial distribution of COPD hospital admissions differed between men and women. For men, high-risk values were located primarily in the northwestern area of the study, whereas for women the cluster pattern was not as clear and high-risk CTs also reached central and southern areas. In both men and women, the north-northwest area included the majority of CTs with high-risk values. Conclusions The present study showed the existence of a spatial distribution pattern of unscheduled COPD hospital admissions in the central area of Asturias that was more pronounced for men than for women. This study could provide a starting point for generating knowledge about COPD epidemiology in Asturias.

Conclusiones: Con los resultados hal l ados en este estudio no podemos concluir una asociación clara entre los contaminantes estudiados (partículas, Sol. N02, CO) y l a mortalidad acorto plazo. al menos a los niveles detectados en Gijón y Oviedo. Palabras clave: Series temporales. Contaminación atmosférica. Mortalidad.