Pericardial Disease-Related Mortality in the United States

Background

Despite advancements in medical management, pericardial disease (PD)–related mortality is on the rise, yet comprehensive data on its prevalence and mortality rates in the United States remains limited.

Objectives

This study aimed to analyze PD-related mortality trends in the United States from 1999 to 2019, focusing on demographic variations based on sex, age, race/ethnicity, geographical regions, and urban–rural distinctions.

Methods

A descriptive analysis was conducted using death certificate data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research database. Mortality rates were assessed among adults aged ≥25 years diagnosed with PD, using International Classification of Diseases-10th Revision codes. Crude mortality rates and age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) were calculated, and temporal trends were analyzed using joinpoint regression.

Results

A total of 87,285 PD-related deaths were recorded during this period. AAMR initially decreased from 2.36 in 1999 to 1.70 in 2012, with an annual percentage change of −2.74% (P < 0.001) However, this trend reversed, as AAMR increased significantly to 2.04 by 2019, with an annual percentage change of +2.94% (P < 0.001). Higher mortality rates were observed among males, older adults (≥65 years), and non-Hispanic Black or African American individuals. The Western region exhibited the highest AAMR, whereas rural areas showed slightly elevated mortality rates compared to urban areas after 2012.

Conclusions

These findings underscore a resurgence in PD-related mortality, highlighting the urgent need for improved public health strategies to address this growing burden, particularly among vulnerable populations.