# Temporal Trends in Mortality Related to Enteritis and Septicaemia in the United States

## TL;DR

This study examines how deaths from non-infective gut inflammation combined with sepsis have changed in the U.S. from 1999 to 2020, finding trends and disparities.

## Contribution

The study is the first to analyze combined mortality trends of non-infective enteritis/colitis and septicemia in the U.S. over two decades.

## Key findings

- Mortality rates initially rose until 2007, then sharply declined and stabilized.
- Higher mortality was observed among females, White individuals, and those in urban areas.
- Medical facility deaths were most common, suggesting late-stage disease progression.

## Abstract

Introduction: Non-infective enteritis and colitis with septicemia as a contributing cause remains an underexplored area of mortality research. While previous studies have examined these conditions independently, understanding their concurrent occurrence and combined impact on mortality is essential to identify high-risk groups and inform prevention strategies.

Aims: To analyze temporal mortality trends and demographic disparities in non-infective enteritis and colitis with septicemia as a contributing cause in the United States using the CDC Multiple Cause of Death (MCD) database from 1999 to 2020.

Methodology: A retrospective observational study was conducted using the CDC MCD database for individuals aged ≥25 years. Deaths were identified where non-infective enteritis and colitis (International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10): K50-K52) were listed as the underlying cause and septicemia (ICD-10: A41) as a contributing cause. Trends were analyzed by sex, race, metropolitan status, and place of death using Joinpoint regression.

Results: A total of 12,143 deaths were recorded, corresponding to a crude mortality rate of 2.7 per 1,000,000 population. The age-adjusted mortality rate (AAMR) increased significantly between 1999-2007 (Annual Percent Change [APC]: +7.13%), declined sharply between 2007-2010 (APC: −39.52%), and gradually decreased thereafter (APC: −2.96%). Mortality was highest among females (61.9%), White individuals (89.8%), residents of metropolitan areas (84.4%), and deaths occurring in medical facilities (88.8%).

Conclusions: Mortality related to non-infective enteritis and colitis with septicemia showed an initial rise followed by a marked decline and later stabilization over two decades. Disparities were noted across sex, race, and geographic location, underscoring the need for improved early recognition and management of septicemia in high-risk enteritis and colitis patients.