Abstract WP104: National Trends and Disparities in Brain Tumor and Stroke Mortality in U.S. Adults Aged ≥55: 1999–2023

Introduction: Patients with brain tumors face elevated stroke risk, yet national data on their combined mortality burden remain limited. This study examined temporal trends and disparities in mortality when brain tumor and stroke co-occurred as multiple causes of death (MCOD) in U.S. adults aged ≥55 from 1999 to 2023. Methods: Mortality data were extracted from the CDC WONDER database. Deaths with both brain tumor and stroke (ICD-10 codes for neoplasms of the brain and I60–I69) listed as MCOD were identified. Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) per 1,000,000 population were calculated. Joinpoint regression was used to estimate annual percentage changes (APCs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Analyses were stratified by age, sex, race/ethnicity, census region, and metropolitan versus non-metropolitan residence. Results: From 1999 to 2023, 12,500 deaths were attributed to co-occurring brain tumor and stroke in adults aged ≥55. The overall AAMR increased from 6.26 to 8.61 per 1,000,000, with an APC of +3.88 (95% CI: 2.77–4.99; p<0.001). Men consistently had higher mortality rates than women (10.39 vs. 6.86 per 1,000,000). Non-metropolitan residents showed higher mortality than metropolitan residents (7.22 vs. 6.36). By race/ethnicity, non-Hispanic Whites had the highest mortality (7.05), followed by Hispanics (5.47), non-Hispanic Asians/Pacific Islanders (5.03), and non-Hispanic Blacks (4.98). Regionally, mortality was highest in the West (7.63), followed by the Midwest (6.99), South (6.65), and Northeast (5.43). Conclusion: Mortality associated with co-occurring brain tumor and stroke increased significantly between 1999 and 2023, disproportionately affecting non-Hispanic Whites, rural populations, and residents of the Western U.S. In conclusion, these findings underscore the need for enhanced surveillance and targeted healthcare strategies to reduce disparities among high-risk groups.