Emphysema-related mortality rates in the U.S. from 1999 to 2022.

Introduction: Pulmonary emphysema is a progressive lung disease characterized by persistent respiratory symptoms that are a result of destruction to the alveoli wall and enlargement of distal airspaces. Despite initiatives made to create awareness about the dangers of smoking, and a nationwide reduction in cigarette smoking, emphysema (COPD) is still the third leading cause of death in the United States.

Methods: This study utilized the CDC WONDER national database to investigate the trends in emphysema-related mortality in the United States. Age-adjusted mortality rates per 100,000 people (AAMR), annual percentage change (APC), and average annual percentage change (AAPC) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were assessed. The Joinpoint Regression Program was used to determine mortality trends between 1999 and 2022. Data extracted for analysis in this study includes gender, race/ethnicity, age groups, regions, states, and urban/rural classification.

Results: From 1999 to 2022, there were 526,545 deaths due to emphysema in the United States. Overall age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMR) in the United States decreased from 18.47 in 1999 to 7.75 in 2022, with an average annual percentage change (AAPC) of -3.698. Emphysema caused 296,859 deaths in males and 229,686 in females in the United States. White populations had the highest AAMR over this period and the largest reduction in AAMR. AAMRs were initially highest in urban areas compared to rural regions. 85 + years had the highest crude mortality rate of 123.11 in 1999.

Discussion: Emphysema-related deaths in the United States decreased overall between 1999 and 2022, likely a result of a greater emphasis on health education concerning the significant dangers of smoking and policy changes that made cigarettes less accessible and less affordable, and more available access to resources and support networks.

Conclusion: It is important to address possible health disparities that exist among populations and improve healthcare outcomes and resource allocation among all population groups.