Trends in Mortality Due to Hematologic Malignancies Among Patients Aged 25 and Older in the United States: Annual Trends and Insights on Gender Disparities from the CDC Wonder Database

Introduction

Hematologic malignancies are a major cause of mortality among adults aged 25 and older in the United States. This study investigates annual trends and gender disparities in mortality rates from 1999 to 2020.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of the CDC WONDER database was conducted to calculate age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) per 100,000 persons. Trends were assessed using Average Annual Percentage Change (AAPC) and Annual Percent Change (APC) stratified by year and gender.

Results

From 1999 to 2020, hematologic malignancies caused 1,463,046 deaths among adults aged 25 and older. The overall AAMR decreased from 37.30 in 1999 to 28.0 in 2020, with an AAPC of -1.3641 (95% CI: -1.5184 to -1.2762; p < 0.001). A significant decline occurred from 1999 to 2018 (APC: -1.6696; 95% CI: -1.7878 to -1.5890; p < 0.001), followed by a slight increase from 2018 to 2020 (APC: 1.5861; 95% CI: -0.7262 to 2.6695; p = 0.2151). Men exhibited higher AAMRs compared to women (40.6 vs. 23.7). Both genders saw a decrease in AAMR from 1999 to 2020 [Men: AAPC: -1.2398 (95% CI: -1.3859 to -1.1540; p < 0.001); Women: AAPC: -1.6315 (95% CI: -1.8334 to -1.5137; p < 0.001)]. For women, the AAMR decreased significantly from 29.50 in 1999 to 19.90 in 2019, followed by a minor rise to 20.80 in 2020. Similarly, for men the AAMR decreased from 48.60 in 1999 to 35.4 in 2019 and then increased to 37.40 by 2020.

Conclusion

This analysis highlights significant annual trends and gender disparities in mortality rates due to hematologic malignancies among adults aged 25 and older in the U.S. Despite an overall decline, Despite an overall decline, men demonstrated a higher mortality due to hematologic malignancies in comparison to women. Globally, men have higher incidence and death rates for leukemia, multiple myeloma (MM), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), and Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) compared to women. From 1990 to 2019, the male-to-female ratio for these cancers increased, suggesting the influence of hormonal, genetic, and environmental factors. Existing literature shows evidence for specific leukemia subtypes exhibiting higher mortality rates in men, with notable age groups having the highest death rates. This disparity underscores the need for further research to understand and address these gender differences in hematological malignancies.

No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.