ABSTRACT Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a prevalent arrhythmia that frequently coexists with cardiomyopathy, leading to deteriorated cardiovascular outcomes. Analyzing the trends associated with these conditions is essential for improving prevention strategies and management practices. Methods CDC WONDER (1999–2023) data were analyzed to assess AF with cardiomyopathy‐related mortality in patients aged ≥ 25. Using Joinpoint regression analysis, we calculated age‐adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) per 100,000 patients and average annual percentage changes (AAPCs) to analyze mortality trends. Results AF with cardiomyopathy is responsible for 126,377 deaths among adults aged 25 and older. Alarmingly, AAMRs have surged from 1.8 per 100,000 in 1999 to 3.0 in 2023 (AAPC: 2.11, p < 0.001). The upward trend remains pronounced, particularly between 2016 and 2021, with an annual percentage change of 6.17 ( p = 0.02). Disparities in mortality rates are striking. Men face a higher AAMR than women (3.1 vs. 1.5), and Black individuals bear the heaviest burden at 2.4, closely followed by Whites at 2.3. Regionally, Vermont stands out with the highest AAMR at 3.6, while New York reports the lowest at 1.3. Both rural and urban areas maintain equal AAMRs of 2.1, yet the increase in rural regions is particularly concerning, reflecting an AAPC of 2.44 compared to 1.78 in urban settings. Conclusion The rising mortality rates from AF with cardiomyopathy in patients, particularly among men, Black individuals, and rural residents, demand urgent action. These concerning trends underscore a public health crisis that must be addressed.
Gender-specific trends in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and mortality rates of pancreatic cancer in adults aged 70 and older: A Global Burden of Disease analysis (1990-2021).
e16423 Background: Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most aggressive malignancies, disproportionately affecting older adults. Leveraging data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD), this study investigates gender-specific trends in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and mortality rates for PC among adults aged 70 and older from 1990 to 2021. Methods: DALYs and mortality rates associated with PC were extracted for both genders from the GBD-2021 study from 1990 to 2021. The Annual Percentage Change (APC) and the Average Annual Percentage Change (AAPC) were calculated, along with 95% confidence intervals (CI), to assess the statistical significance of the trends using the p-value. Results: In 1990, DALY rates were 837.25 for men and 711.95 for women, increasing to 950.68 and 768.31, respectively, by 2021. Mortality rates followed a similar pattern: men’s rates rose from 52.05 in 1990 to 61.37 in 2021, while women’s increased from 47.31 to 53.40. Men consistently experienced higher burdens than women. The AAPC analysis revealed that men exhibited a steeper rise in both DALYs and mortality rates associated with PC compared to women over the past three decades. Notably, the gender disparity was more evident in DALYs (+0.1929%) than in mortality rates (+0.1358%), with all AAPC values demonstrating statistical significance (p < 0.000001). Following the APC analysis, additional significant trends were identified. Among males, DALY rates demonstrated the most pronounced increase between 1997 and 2021 (APC: 0.5397, 95% CI: 0.5118, 0.5645), whereas in females, the most significant rise occurred from 1990 to 1993 (APC: 0.6593, 95% CI: 0.3608, 1.1016). Conversely, the slowest increase in DALY rates among females was observed between 1993 and 2003 (APC: 0.0925, 95% CI: -0.2053, 0.1641). For mortality rates, the most notable rise in males was observed between 2007 and 2010 (APC: 1.2314, 95% CI: 1.0292, 1.3195), while females experienced their sharpest escalation from 1990 to 1994 (APC: 0.6891, 95% CI: 0.4322, 1.0720). In contrast, the slowest rate of progression in mortality among females occurred between 1993 and 2002 (APC: 0.1736, 95% CI: 0.0180, 0.2368). Conclusions: Over the past three decades, men have experienced a significantly more pronounced rise in DALYs and mortality rates related to PC compared to women.These findings highlight the urgent need for gender-specific interventions to address the growing burden of PC in aging populations. Trends in DALY and mortality rates per 100,000 by gender (1990-2021). Metrics Gender 1990 2021 APC (1990-2021) Daly Rates per 100,000 Male 837.25 950.68 0.4422 Female 711.9 768.31 0.2493 Mortality Rates per 100,000 Male 52.05 61.37 0.5366 Female 47.31 53.40 0.4008
Direct-Acting Oral Anticoagulants in the Management of Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis—Where Do We Stand?
Background: Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVT) is a rare cause of stroke, constituting 0.5–3% of all strokes with an extremely varied spectrum of presentation, predisposing factors, neuroimaging findings, and eventual outcomes. A high index of suspicion is needed because timely diagnosis can significantly alter the natural course of the disease, reduce acute complications, and improve long-term outcomes. Due to its myriad causative factors, protean presentation, and association with several systemic diseases, CVT is encountered not only by neurologists but also by emergency care practitioners, internists, hematologists, obstetricians, and pediatricians. Discussion: Anticoagulation remains the mainstay of treatment for CVT. Heparin and warfarin previously had been the anticoagulation of choice. Recently there has been an increased interest in utilizing direct-acting oral anticoagulants in the treatment of CVT given comparable safety and efficacy with ease of utilization. However recent clinical guidelines given by multiple societies including the American Stroke guidelines and European guidelines do not include these agents so far in their treatment recommendations. Ongoing multicentric clinical trials are currently reviewing the role of these agents in both short-term as well as long-term. Our review of the literature supports the safety and reinforces the efficacy of DOAC in the treatment of CVT. Additionally, patient satisfaction has been shown to be better with the use of DOAC. In conclusion, DOAC continues to have a valid role in the management of CVT.