To assess trends in mortality from benign colorectal conditions in the USA over the past two decades and compare them to colorectal cancer (CRC) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), while identifying leading causes of mortality from benign colorectal conditions.
Key Findings:
1,560,448 deaths (2.7%) were attributed to colorectal pathologies, with CRC accounting for the majority.
Benign colorectal conditions had a higher mortality rate than IBD (CDR 68.54 vs. 3.76).
Leading causes of death included malignant neoplasms of the colon and rectum, with Clostridioides difficile enterocolitis being the most common benign cause.
Interpretation:
Mortality from CRC has declined, while benign colorectal conditions and IBD have shown stable mortality rates, indicating a need for increased research and public health focus on benign conditions and their implications.
Limitations:
Reliance on death certificate data, which may be subject to diagnostic misclassification.
Use of crude death rates without age-adjustment, potentially affecting trend interpretations.
Underreporting of benign colorectal conditions due to less systematic tracking in national registries, which may lead to an underestimation of their public health impact.
Conclusion:
While CRC mortality has decreased due to screening and therapeutic advancements, benign colorectal conditions and IBD mortality remains stable, highlighting public health gaps that require attention.
