Abstract Body (Do not enter title and authors here): Abstract
Background: Stroke in malignancy is a significant cause of mortality among older adults. This study analyzes demographic trends and disparities in mortality rates due to stroke in malignancy among adults aged 65 and older from 1999 to 2020.
Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using CDC WONDER death certificate data from 1999 to 2020. Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) were calculated per 100,000 persons stratified by year, sex, race/ethnicity, and geographical regions. Trends were assessed using Average Annual Percentage Change (AAPC) and annual percent change (APC).
Results: Between 1999 and 2020, Stroke in Malignancy resulted in 198,659 deaths among adults (≥65 years) in the United States. Fatalities occurred predominantly in medical facilities (36.5%), followed by nursing homes (29.3%), and at decedents’ homes (24.2%). The overall age-adjusted mortality rate (AAMR) for Stroke in Malignancy-related deaths decreased from 32.8 in 1999 to 16.5 in 2020, with an Average Annual Percentage Change (AAPC) of -3.35 (p-value < 0.000001). Notably, there was a significant decline in AAMR from 1999 to 2018 (APC: -4.23, p-value < 0.000001), followed by a notable increase from 2018 to 2020 (APC: 5.33, p-value = 0.025595). Both men and women showed decreased AAMRs, with men having higher rates (men: 28.1; women: 17.5). AAMRs varied among racial/ethnic groups, with Black/African Americans having the highest AAMR (31.0), followed by Whites (21.8), American/Alaska Natives (18.6), Asian/Pacific Islanders (12.9), and Hispanics (12.5). AAMRs decreased across all races, with the most significant decline observed in Asians (AAPC: -4.62, p-value < 0.000001). Geographically, AAMRs varied among states, ranging from 11.0 in Arizona to 33.7 in Mississippi. Across regions, the Midwestern region had the highest mortality (AAMR: 23.4), with nonmetropolitan areas exhibiting slightly higher AAMRs (AAMR: 25.9). Both metropolitan and nonmetropolitan regions experienced decreased AAMRs over the study period (p-value < 0.000001).
Conclusion: The analysis reveals substantial demographic disparities in mortality rates attributed to Stroke in malignancy among older adults. While the overall decline in mortality rates indicates progress, the concerning upsurge in recent years necessitates proactive measures. Addressing these disparities through targeted interventions and equitable healthcare access is imperative to optimize outcomes for this at-risk population.