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.