§ Mr. StrawTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of Buerger's disease have been recorded in each of the last five years for which data are available; and in how many cases this has been given as the cause of death.
§ Mr. DorrellThe only information held centrally which can be provided without incurring disproportionate cost is given in the table. This relates to the number of patients 595W treated in NHS hospitals in England where Thromboangiitis obliterans (Buerger's disease) has been recorded as the primary diagnosis.
Estimated numbers of discharges and deaths (1984–85) and ordinary and day case admissions (1987–88/ 1989–90) where main diagnosis was 1CD 443.1: thromboangiitis obliterans (Buerger's disease) 443.1 Buerger's disease Year Number of inpatients 1984 93 1985 103 1987–88 143 1988–89 123 1989–90 114 Source: HIPE 1984–85 and HES 1987–88/1989–90. Data compiled by SMI2A.
These numbers are provisional estimates based on incomplete data and may he subject to revision.
§ Mr. StrawTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what research has been carried out into the link between smoking and Buerger's disease; and what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the publicity given to the dangers of Buerger's disease from smoking.
§ Mr. DorrellWe are not aware of any current research in this area. Buerger's disease is a rare form of peripheral vascular disease, the cause of which remains unknown, although a close association with the habitual use of tobacco, particularly cigarette smoking, is indisputable. The Health Education Authority is aware of the association between smoking and Buerger's disease and seeks to publicise this as part of its anti-smoking programmes, although other smoking-related diseases result in far higher levels of mortality and morbidity.