Trends and disparities in alcohol use and liver cell carcinoma–related mortality in the US: A 24-year retrospective study.

Abstract

e16237 Background: Alcohol use (AU) and Liver cell carcinoma (LCC) are significant contributors to adult mortality worldwide. Examining trends and disparities in AU and LCC-related deaths is essential for understanding public health challenges and formulating targeted interventions. This study investigates national mortality patterns related to AU and LCC in the United States from 1999 to 2023, emphasizing demographic, geographic, and temporal disparities. Methods: This descriptive analysis used the CDC WONDER database (1999–2023) to identify AU-related deaths (ICD-10 codes E24.4, F10, G32.2, G62.1, G72.1, I42.6, K70, K85.2, K86.0, R78.0, T51, X65, Y15) and LCC (ICD-10 code C22.0) in adults aged 25 and older. Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) per 1,000,000 individuals were calculated, stratified by gender, race/ethnicity, census region, urban-rural classification, and state. Trends were analyzed using Joinpoint regression to compute annual percent changes (APCs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05, and analyses adhered to STROBE guidelines. Results: From 1999 to 2023, a total of 21,007 deaths were attributed to LCC and AU (Men: 18,836 Women: 2,171). AAMRs showed a stable trend from 1999 to 2003 (APC: 0.0; 95% CI: -8.7 to 4.9) but increased significantly from 2003 to 2019 (APC: 6.1; 95% CI: 5.7 to 7.4), stabilizing from 2019 to 2023 (APC: -0.6; 95% CI: -3.2 to 1.3). Men's AAMRs decreased from 1999 to 2003 (APC: -1.1; 95% CI: -10.4 to 3.4), then rose sharply from 2003 to 2019 (APC: 6.1; 95% CI: 5.6 to 7.1). For women, AAMRs increased significantly, particularly between 2013 and 2017 (APC: 12.4; 95% CI: -9.5 to 25.1). Non-Hispanic Black and White populations experienced notable increases in AAMRs, while Hispanic people showed an initial decline followed by an increase post-2004 (APC: 4.7; 95% CI: 3.7 to 7.9). The West had the highest regional AAMR (5.3; 95% CI: 5.2 to 5.5), while the Northeast recorded the lowest (2.1; 95% CI: 2.0 to 2.2). New Mexico had the highest state AAMR (8.4; 95% CI: 7.4 to 9.4), and Mississippi the lowest (1.2; 95% CI: 0.9 to 1.5). AAMRs rose more sharply in non-metropolitan areas from 1999-2020 (APC: 6.6; 95% CI: 5.9 to 7.8) compared to metropolitan regions from 2004 to 2020 (APC: 5.4; 95% CI: 4.9 to 6.5). Conclusions: AU and LCC-related mortality rates have increased significantly since 2003, with distinct gender, racial, and geographic disparities. Men and rural populations faced higher mortality increases, with notable variations across states and regions. These findings underscore the need for focused public health efforts to mitigate these disparities and address the growing burden of LCC and AU-related mortality.