Demographic and Regional Trends in Chronic Lymphocytic Lymphoma in Older Adults in the United States between 1999 and 2020

• Published in: Blood 2023-11, Vol.142 (Supplement 1), p.1184-1184
• Main Authors: Nandwani, Swamroop V, Didier, Alexander J., Fahoury, Alan, Craig, Daniel J, Spencer, Caleb T, Watkins, Dean, Vijendra, Divya
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0006-4971; 1528-0020
• DOI: 10.1182/blood-2023-187692

Introduction: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) accounts for the highest number of leukemia diagnoses in adults over 19 and nearly 25% of new adult leukemia cases. CLL commonly affects older adults with a median age of 70 at diagnosis. Although the 5-year survival rate of CLL is high at 88%, there are disparities among various groups within the United States (U.S.) with marginalized groups experiencing lower survival than their counterparts. Currently, no study has assessed geographic and demographic trends in CLL mortality in older adults (65+) in the U.S. Our aim was to analyze demographic differences and trends in CLL mortality in older adults (65+) within the U.S. between 1999 to 2020. Methods: The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) Wonder database was used to determine mortality statistics for patients, 65 years or older, with an underlying cause of death from CLL (ICD-10 code C91.1) between 1999 and 2020. Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMR) were calculated per 100,000 deaths. The AAMR was calculated by demographic variables such as race (Hispanic, Non-Hispanic Black, Non-Hispanic White), population density (Urban, Suburban, Rural), sex, state, and U.S. census region. Joinpoint regression software was used to identify temporal trends. Average annual percent change (APC) was considered statistically significant if p< 0.05. Results: Between 1999 and 2020, CLL accounted for 85,371 deaths in adults 65 years or older. During this time, the overall AAMR decreased by 30% from 11.2 to 7.8 with an APC of -1.7% (p