Objective:

Our goal is to investigate trends and implications that can aid in healthcare planning and patient assistance in the population of Motor Neuron diseases.

Background:

Motor neuron disease is a neurological disorder, a significant cause of neurological mortality in the United States, with a frequency of 3.8% in 2017 and a fatality rate of 0.8%. The clinical course and prognostic indicators are not extensively explored.

Design/Methods:

We retrieved mortality data from CDC WONDER database due to Motor Neuron Disease (ICD 10: G12.2) with comorbid respiratory failure (ICD 10: J96) from 1999-2023. We stratified Age-adjusted Mortality Rates across sex, race, ethnicity, census region, 2013- urbanization framework, and states. Temporal trends were assessed using Joinpoint regression (JPR) analysis, reporting Annual Percent Change (APCs) with 95% CIs (p < 0.05).

Results:

Between 1999 and 2023, 29,443 deaths were attributed to motor neuron disease (MND) with respiratory failure (AAMR = 1.52). Mortality was higher in males (56.4%) than females (43.6%) and predominantly affected White non-Hispanics (≈91%). Overall, mortality declined slightly until 2008, then rose modestly. Females showed a decline (1999–2005; APC = –2.11), while males declined (1999–2008; APC = –1.82) followed by a brief rise (2008–2011; APC = 4.05). Hispanics showed an upward trend (APC = 1.01), whereas Whites declined (1999–2006; APC = –1.75) then increased from 2006-2023 (APC = 0.59). Mortality rose in the Midwest (APC = 0.61), declined in the West (APC = –0.56), with the lowest AAMR in Louisiana (0.8) and highest in Vermont (2.4).

Conclusions:

From 1999–2023, MND mortality from respiratory failure was higher among men, non-Hispanic Whites, and residents of the Northeast, West, and small metro areas, reflecting biological, environmental, and healthcare disparities. Targeted surveillance, equitable care, and risk mitigation are vital to reduce mortality.