Demographic and regional trends of peripheral artery disease-related mortality in the United States, 2000 to 2019

INTRODUCTION

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a common progressive atherosclerotic disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality in the US; however, data regarding PAD-related mortality trends are limited. This study aims to characterize contemporary trends in mortality across sociodemographic and regional groups.

METHODS

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-Ranging OnLine Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC WONDER) was queried for data regarding PAD-related deaths from 2000 to 2019 in the overall sample and different demographic (age, sex, race/ethnicity) and regional (state, urban-rural) subgroups. Crude and age-adjusted mortality rates (CMR and AAMR, respectively) per 100,000 people were calculated. Associated annual percentage changes (APC) were computed using Joinpoint Regression Program Version 4.9.0.0 trend analysis software.

RESULTS

Between 2000 and 2019, a total of 1,959,050 PAD-related deaths occurred in the study population. Overall, AAMR decreased from 72.8 per 100,000 in 2000 to 32.35 per 100,000 in 2019 with initially decreasing APCs followed by no significant decline from 2016 to 2019. Most demographic and regional subgroups showed initial declines in AAMRs during the study period, with many groups exhibiting no change in mortality in recent years. However, men, non-Hispanic (NH) Black or African American individuals, people aged ⩾ 85 years, and rural counties were associated with the highest AAMRs of their respective subgroups. Notably, there was an increase in crude mortality rate among individuals 25-39 years of age from 2009 to 2019.

CONCLUSION

Despite initial improvement, PAD-related mortality has remained stagnant in recent years. Disparities have persisted across several demographic and regional groups, requiring further investigation.

Blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome in a Pakistani pedigree

Blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES) is a rare developmental ocular disorder. We report this condition affecting 4 members of a Pakistani family across three generations. A 2-year-old girl was brought to the clinic by her father for the correction of her shortened palpebral fissures. Examination findings were consistent with BPES. The girl's father, paternal grandfather and paternal aunt also had identical features. The distance between the medial canthi of the index case was 30 mm, and the lengths of vertical and horizontal palpebral fissure were 6 mm and 20 mm, respectively. BPES must be considered an important differential diagnosis in patients presenting with blepharoptosis and blepharophimosis.