Background: Alzheimer's dementia (AD) affects 6.9 million senior Americans and is a leading cause of death. Aspiration pneumonia carries high mortality but remains underexamined in this group. This study explores mortality patterns in this group to identify disparities among demographics.
Methods: We analyzed data from the CDC WONDER, focusing on mortality caused by the co-occurrence of AD and aspiration pneumonitis in adults aged 65 years and older from 1999 to 2020. Joinpoint Regression Program was employed to evaluate temporal trends. Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs), crude mortality rates (CMRs) and annual percent changes (APCs) were computed.
Results: A total of 335,458 deaths occurred due to AD and aspiration pneumonia. The overall AAMR increased, with a significant increase from 1999 to 2001. Men had consistently higher AAMRs than women. AAMRs were highest among non-Hispanic (NH) Whites and lowest in NH Asians. CMR for the 85+ year age group was nearly four times higher than the 75-84 year age group.
Conclusion: Aspiration pneumonitis caused a large number of deaths in older adults with AD with some groups being more vulnerable. These results point to ongoing disparities and emphasize the importance of better preventive care and targeted interventions to reduce preventable deaths in these vulnerable groups.
Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; CDC WONDER; aspiration pneumonia; dementia; mortality.
Alzheimer’s dementia is a leading cause of death in older adults and it is strongly associated with aspiration pneumonitis, a condition in which food, liquid or saliva goes to lungs instead of stomach. We conducted a study that looked at death records in the United States from 1999 to 2020 to see how often aspiration pneumonitis leads to death in people with Alzheimer's and which groups were the most vulnerable. Men, people over age 85, non-Hispanic White individuals, rural residents, and those living in the South were most affected. These findings highlight the need for better preventive care and tailored health programs to reduce avoidable deaths in this vulnerable population.