e19092 Background: Advances in immunochemotherapy and cellular treatment have improved outcomes for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), but the population-level effect and equity of benefit are unclear. Understanding mortality trends and inequality is critical to developing targeted medicines. Methods: We used ICD-10 codes to assess DLBCL mortality from the CDC WONDER Multiple Causes of Death data (1999-2023). The age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMR) per 100,000 were calculated using the 2000 US standard population. Trends were assessed using Joinpoint regression to calculate annual percent change (APC) and average annual percent change (AAPC). Mortality was broken out by gender, race/ethnicity, age group, US Census area, and urban-rural categorization. Results: From 1999 to 2023, the national AAMR for DLBCL decreased from 3.8 to 2.5 per 100,000 (AAPC -2.1%) (p < 0.001). Non-Hispanic White patients saw the greatest decline (AAPC -2.5%), followed by non-Hispanic Black patients (AAPC -1.2%), resulting in increasing racial inequalities (rate ratio Black:White 1.35 in 2023 vs. 1.18 in 1999). Urban areas had much larger mortality decreases than rural areas (AAPC −2.3% versus −1.1%). Regional disparities were clear, with rates typically higher in the Southeast and Midwest. Inflection points were identified in 2006 and 2012, coinciding with widespread use of rituximab-based therapy and better availability of second-line medications. Conclusions: Although DLBCL mortality has decreased throughout the US over the last two decades, progress has been patchy, with significant racial and regional differences. Clinical Takeaway: Targeted interventions addressing access to therapy and early detection in high-risk populations are needed to close persistent DLBCL outcome gaps.
Kumar et al. (Thu,) studied this question.