Unveiling disparities in infections or parasitic disease- and neoplasm-related mortality: A 25-years retrospective...

Cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States, with affected individuals facing an increased risk of infection-related mortality due to immune compromise, comorbidities, and treatment effects AIM: To investigate trends and demographics of infection- or parasitic disease-related neoplastic deaths among U.S. adults aged ≥25 years from 1999-2023.

CDC WONDER multiple cause-of-death data (1999-2023) were analyzed for infectious and parasitic diseases (ICD-10: A00-B99) and neoplasms (ICD-10: C00-D48). Crude and age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs per 100,000) were computed. Joinpoint regression estimated annual and average percent changes (APC, AAPC) with 95% confidence intervals (p ≤ 0.05), stratified by demographic and geographic characteristics.

From 1999-2023, 975,156 deaths involved infections and neoplasms concurrently. AAMR rose from 16.66 to 19.53 per 100,000 (AAPC, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.61-1.00; p < 0.05). Mortality rates increased significantly from 15.52 in 2001 to 16.79 in 2013. (APC, 0.81; p < 0.05), followed by a further rise to 19.52 by 2023 (APC, 1.55; p < 0.05). Older adults (≥65 years) were most affected. Mortality was higher in males than females (22.30 vs 13.00), with both groups mirroring the overall mortality trends (AAPC for females' and males': 1.05; p < 0.05 and 0.46; p < 0.05, respectively). Non-Hispanic Blacks had the highest AAMR (27.05), followed by American Indians (17.48), Non-Hispanic Asians (16.52), Hispanics (16.14), and Non-Hispanic Whites (15.80). The West (17.63) and metropolitan areas (17.05) showed the greatest burden, ranging from 11.69 in Montana to 36.68 in the District of Columbia.

Infection-related neoplastic mortality increased over 25 years with marked demographic disparities, underscoring the need for targeted interventions.