S186 Mortality Trends and Health Disparities in Gallbladder, Biliary Tract, and Pancreatic Disorders: A United States National Study (1999 to 2020)

Introduction: Disorders of the gallbladder, biliary tract, and pancreas (GBP), including cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, cholangitis, pancreatitis, and pancreatic cysts, are significant contributors to gastrointestinal mortality in the United States. Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, mortality remains high, and disparities persist across demographic and geographic lines. This study aimed to evaluate long-term mortality trends from GBP disorders in the U.S. adult population from 1999 to 2020. Methods: Data were extracted from CDC WONDER (1999 to 2020) for adults ≥25 years with deaths linked to GBP disorders (ICD-10: K80–K86). Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) per 100,000 were standardized to the 2000 U.S. population. Joinpoint regression estimated annual percentage change (APC), average annual percentage change, and 95% CIs. Subgroup analyses included sex, race/ethnicity, region, urban-rural status, place of death, and state. Results: From 1999 to 2020, 359,358 U.S. deaths were due to GBP disorders. The age-adjusted mortality rate (AAMR) declined from 8.79 (1999) to 8.15 (2020), with stable rates (1999 to 2002), declines (2002 to 2013), and an increase post-2018 (APC: 6.55; 95% CI: 4.11–9.04). Men had higher AAMR than women (9.10 vs 6.29). AAMR rose with age: 25–44 (1.35), 45–64 (4.94), and 65–85 + (26.97), with sharpest recent rise in ages 25–44 (APC: 21.48). By race, AAMR was highest in American Indian/Alaska Natives (11.21), followed by Black (9.46), White (7.43), Hispanic (7.17), and Asian/Pacific Islander (5.69). Rural mortality (8.93) exceeded urban (7.31). Regionally, the West had the highest AAMR (8.03), Northeast the lowest (6.71). Most deaths (67.97%) occurred in medical facilities. Conclusion: Although mortality due to GBP disorders declined through the early 2000s, a resurgence in deaths occurred from 2018 to 2020, particularly among men, Black individuals, the rural population, and residents of states like West Virginia and New Mexico, highlighting growing disparities. These findings underscore the need for targeted public health strategies focused on early detection, risk factor modification, and equitable healthcare access to reduce preventable mortality and mitigate widening health inequities. ChatGPT (OpenAI) was used for language clarity and grammar refinement. All scientific content, data, and analysis are original and solely by the authors.