OBJECTIVE:

To analyze the leukemia mortality trend in children and adults living in Colombia and Bogotá, from 1985 to 2012.

METHODS:

This observational ecological study analyzed the mortality trend due to lymphoid, myeloid, and all types of leukemia, categorized by age, sex, and residence. Information on deaths and population data was obtained from the National Department of Statistics website. Mortality rates were used to estimate the Average Annual Percent Change (AAPC).

RESULTS:

Between 0-14 years old group, the mortality rates for leukemia fell during the studied period in Colombia (AAPC = -0.9; 95% CI -1.2, -0.6) and in Bogotá (AAPC = -2.0; 95% CI -2.6, -1.4). However, a statistically significant increase in leukemia mortality rates was observed between 60-69 years old in Colombia (AAPC = 1.1; 95% CI 0.3, 2.0) and ≥ 70 years old in Colombia (AAPC = 2.0; 95% CI 1.7, 2.4) and in Bogotá (AAPC = 0.9; 95% CI 0.0, 1.7). The ≥ 70 years old group presented the highest leukemia mortality rates in both places.

CONCLUSION:

There is a declining trend in mortality for all types of leukemia between the ages 0-14 years in Colombia, most pronounced in the capital. However, there is an increasing trend in the elderly.