2025 American Academy of Neurology Abstract Website

Objective:

To evaluate the demographic and geographic trends in mortality rates due to Muscular Dystrophy (MD) in the United States from 1999 to 2020.

Background:

MD is a genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle weakness. Understanding trends in mortality rates can inform public health strategies aimed at reducing its burden.

Design/Methods:

Mortality data from 1999 to 2020 was extracted from the CDC WONDER database using the ICD-10 code G71.0 for MD. Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMR) per 100,000 population were analyzed across gender, year, urbanization, region, and state. Joinpoint regression was applied to calculate the annual percentage change (APC) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results:

Between 1999 and 2020, a total of 23,929 deaths were attributed to MD. The overall AAMR was 0.35 per 100,000 population. The AAMR increased from 1999 to 2003 (APC: 2.02; 95% CI, -0.56 to 6.43), followed by a decrease from 2003 to 2020 (APC: -0.39*; 95% CI, -1.81 to -0.10). Males exhibited a significantly higher AAMR compared to females (Males AAMR: 0.48 vs. Females AAMR: 0.19). Nonmetropolitan areas had a higher AAMR (0.43) compared to metropolitan areas (0.33). The Midwest region recorded the highest AAMR at 0.35, while the Northeast had the lowest at 0.31. Maine registered the highest state-level AAMR at 0.70, while the District of Columbia reported the lowest at 0.16.

Conclusions:

Mortality rates due to MD have shown a slight increase initially, followed by a decline over the past two decades. Males and nonmetropolitan populations experienced higher mortality rates, highlighting the need for targeted interventions in these groups. These findings underscore the regional disparities in mortality rates and the importance of further research to address them.