Trends, Gender, and Racial Disparities in Patients with Mortality Due to Paroxysmal Tachycardia: A Nationwide Analysis from 1999-2020

AbstractBackgroundParoxysmal tachycardia encompasses various heart rhythm disorders that cause rapid heart rates. Its episodic occurrence makes it difficult to identify and measure its prevalence and trends in the population. Additionally, there is limited data on disparities and trends in mortality due to paroxysmal tachycardia, which is essential for assessing current medical approaches and identifying at-risk populations.MethodsOur study examined death certificates from 1999 to 2020 using the CDC WONDER Database to identify deaths caused by paroxysmal tachycardia in individuals aged 25 and older, using the ICD-10 code I47. Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) and annual percent changes (APC) were calculated by year, gender, age group, race/ethnicity, geographic location, and urbanization status.ResultsBetween 1999 and 2020, 155,320 deaths were reported in patients with paroxysmal tachycardia. Overall, AAMR decreased from 4.8 to 3.7 per 100,000 population between 1999 and 2020, despite showing a significant increase from 2014 to 2020 (APC: 4.33; 95% CI: 3.53 to 5.56). Men had consistently higher AAMRs than women (4.7 vs. 2.2). Furthermore, we found that AAMRs were highest among Non-Hispanic (NH) Black or African Americans and lowest in NH Asian or Pacific Islanders (4 vs. 1.9). Nonmetropolitan areas had higher AAMRs than metropolitan areas (3.6 vs. 3.2).ConclusionsOur analysis showed a significant decrease in mortality from paroxysmal tachycardia since 1999, although there has been a slight increase in recent years. However, disparities remain, with higher AAMRs among men, NH Black or African Americans, and residents of non-metropolitan areas. These findings call for immediate public health actions to curb the rising trends and reduce potential disparities.Clinical Perspectives What is New?In this analysis of population-level US mortality data from 1999 to 2020, we observed an overall decrease in mortality due to Paroxysmal Tachycardia, despite a significant upward trend from 2014 to 2020.Older adults had higher age-adjusted mortality rates than young and middle-aged adults, and men had higher mortality rates than women.Non-Hispanic Black or African Americans had the highest mortality rates among racial groups, and those in non-metropolitan areas had higher rates than those in metropolitan areas.What Are the Clinical Implications?By addressing the effects of the pandemic and racial disparities, healthcare providers and policymakers can develop effective strategies to address this concerning trend.Education should not only identify risk factors but also work to change the socio-cultural conditions that cause these risks.