# Mortality from sepsis among middle-aged and elderly patients with pancreatic cancer: CDC WONDER 1999 To 2023

## TL;DR

This study finds rising sepsis-related deaths among middle-aged and elderly pancreatic cancer patients in the U.S., with significant disparities by gender, race, and region.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into sepsis mortality trends among pancreatic cancer patients using CDC WONDER data from 1999 to 2023.

## Key findings

- Sepsis-related mortality increased significantly among middle-aged and elderly pancreatic cancer patients from 1999 to 2023.
- Black or African American patients and those in the Midwest region experienced the highest increases in sepsis-related mortality.
- Urban populations had higher mortality rates, but rural areas showed the fastest increase in sepsis-related deaths.

## Abstract

Sepsis-related mortality in middle-aged and older pancreatic cancer patients constitutes a significant public health issue. This study seeks to analyze trends in the age-adjusted mortality rate (AAMR) for sepsis-related fatalities among these patients in the United States from 1999 to 2023, employing data from the most recent CDC WONDER database. The temporal patterns revealed from this analysis are anticipated to guide subsequent research and public health initiatives.

The CDC WONDER database was used to look at how many middle-aged and older pancreatic cancer patients in the U.S. died from sepsis between 1999 and 2023. The study utilized AAMR to evaluate temporal mortality patterns among adults aged 45 and older, categorized by race, census region, urban/rural residency, and state, using the Joinpoint regression tool. We calculated the annual percent change (APC) and the average annual percent change (AAPC), and we supplied 95% confidence intervals.

During the study period, the sepsis-related death rate among middle-aged and elderly pancreatic cancer patients exhibited a notable increase, with an AAPC of 2.89. Male patients consistently demonstrated a greater AAMR compared to females, with a notable increase recorded [AAPC = 2.73 (95% CI 1.61 to 3.87)]. Black or African American patients had the greatest AAMR, which also went up a lot [AAPC = 2.62 (95% CI 1.76 to 3.48)]. The mortality burden increased significantly with age, reaching its highest point in the 75–84 age range. A regional study found that the Midwest had the highest rise in AAMR [AAPC = 3.74 (95% CI 2.50 to 5.00)]. Urban people consistently exhibited a higher AAMR compared to rural communities, despite the most significant increase in AAMR occurring among rural populations [AAPC = 3.51 (95% CI 2.09 to 4.94)].

This study’s findings reveal substantial inequalities among gender, ethnicity, age, and geographic regions. These differences show how important it is to quickly implement targeted measures to lower mortality, especially among individuals at high risk.