Objective:

To examine mortality trends and disparities among U.S. adults aged 65 and older affected by both atrial fibrillation (AF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) from 1999 to 2020.

Approach:

Key Findings:

• Total of 399,413 deaths recorded from 1999 to 2020.
• AAMR increased from 27.39 in 1999 to 65.29 in 2020, with an average annual percent change (AAPC) of 4.21 (95% CI: 3.75–4.68).
• Men had a higher AAMR (57.01) than women (34.96).
• Non-Hispanic White individuals had an AAMR 2.8 times higher than Hispanics.
• Non-metropolitan areas had a higher AAMR than metropolitan areas.
• Leading causes of death included COPD, ischemic heart disease, and cancer, with a shift in the most common place of death from medical facilities to home by 2020.
• Projections suggest the AAMR will reach 92.62 by 2030, particularly in individuals aged ≥85.

Interpretation:

Mortality involving coexisting AF and COPD in older adults has increased over the past two decades, with notable disparities across sex, race, and geography.

Limitations:

• The study is based on death certificate data, which may have limitations in accuracy and completeness.
• The analysis is confined to older adults (aged 65 and older), which may not represent trends in younger populations.

Conclusion:

Mortality rates for older adults with AF and COPD are projected to continue increasing, highlighting the need for targeted interventions in high-risk populations.

Attribution Notice

This content is an AI-generated, fully rewritten summary based on a published scholarly article. It does not reproduce the original text and is not a substitute for the original publication. Readers are encouraged to consult the source for full context, data, and methodology.