Batool, Arshia

ABSTRACT Background Lung cancer (LC) and respiratory failure (RF) are leading causes of adult mortality worldwide. Analyzing long‐term mortality trends across demographic, racial, geographic, and socioeconomic groups is essential to address disparities and enhance outcomes. This study investigates US national mortality patterns for LC and RF from 1999 to 2023, focusing on changes in age‐adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) and key disparities. Methods Mortality data from the CDC WONDER database (1999–2023) for adults aged 25+ with LC (ICD‐10: C34) or RF (ICD‐10: J96) were analyzed. AAMRs per 100,000 were calculated, stratified by gender, race/ethnicity, region, state, and urban–rural status. Temporal trends were assessed using Joinpoint regression to estimate annual percent changes (APCs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), with significance at p < 0.05. Results Over 1999–2023, 456,325 deaths from LC and RF were recorded. AAMRs declined from 1999 to 2010 (APC = −1.2, 95% CI: −1.6 to −0.9) but rose from 2010 to 2023 (APC = 1.4, 95% CI: 1.1–1.7). Men's AAMRs steadily decreased, whereas women's dropped initially, then increased from 2011 to 2023 (APC = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.7 to 2.5). Non‐Hispanic Whites saw a sharp AAMR rise from 2014 to 2017 (APC = 2.7, 95% CI: 0.9 to 3.3), with other racial/ethnic groups showing mixed trends. Regionally, the Northeast had the highest AAMRs (8.6, 95% CI: 8.5 to 8.7), and the Midwest the lowest (7.1, 95% CI: 7.0 to 7.1). Metropolitan areas saw increases post‐2006, whereas nonmetropolitan areas rose after 2009 (APC = 2.3, 95% CI: 1.8–3.1). Mississippi had the highest state AAMR (14.0, 95% CI: 13.7–14.4), Wisconsin the lowest (3.7, 95% CI: 3.5–3.8). Conclusion LC and RF mortality declined until 2010, then increased, revealing significant disparities. Targeted interventions are critical to address these trends and reduce inequities.

Abstract Disclosure: A. Ullah: None. R. Haider: None. M. Khawar: None. M. Abid: None. M. Hadeed Khawar: None. M. Shaukat: None. M. Asad Cheema: None. A. Komel: None. M. Ahmed Khan: None. R. Noureen: None. A. Batool: None. M. Mubashir: None. A. Qadeer: None. R. W. Kirchoff: None. Background: The role of dissecting the right paraesophageal lymph node (RPELN) in managing papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) remains a subject of debate. This meta-analysis examines both established and novel risk factors associated with RPELN metastasis. Methods: Relevant studies published up to December 2024 were retrieved using PubMed, Embase, Ovid, and Scopus search engines. Data were extracted and evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Statistical analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4, with heterogeneity assessed through the Q-test and I²-test. Sensitivity analysis was conducted using the leave-one-out method, and the Egger regression test was used to generate a funnel plot for publication bias assessment. Results: Out of 2,444 articles screened, 26 studies involving 16,427 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The overall RPELN metastasis rate was 12.98% (2,133/16,427). The pooled analysis revealed significant associations between RPELN metastasis and the following factors: age under 55 years (P &lt; 0.00001), male gender (P &lt; 0.00001), tumor size &gt;1 cm (P &lt; 0.00001), multifocality (P &lt; 0.00001), capsular invasion (P &lt; 0.00001), vascular invasion (P &lt; 0.00001), extra-thyroidal extension (P &lt; 0.0001), central lymph node metastasis (P &lt; 0.00001), lateral lymph node metastasis (P &lt; 0.00001), Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (P = 0.002), micro-calcifications (P = 0.01), and altered echogenicity (P = 0.03). Conversely, no significant associations were observed for tumor location in the right lobe (P = 0.07), superior pole (P = 0.08), middle pole (P = 1.00), inferior pole (P = 0.28), or tumor margins (P = 0.93) (all P &gt; 0.05). Conclusion: Factors such as age &lt;55, male sex, tumor size &gt;1 cm, multifocality, capsular invasion, vascular invasion, extra-thyroidal extension, central lymph node metastasis, lateral lymph node metastasis, and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis are significantly associated with RPELN metastasis. These should be carefully considered during RPELN dissection in PTC management. Presentation: Sunday, July 13, 2025