U.S. mortality in abdominal surgical emergencies: Comparative analysis of obesity-associated vs overall deaths (1999-2020).

BACKGROUND

Obesity increases mortality risk in emergency abdominal surgery patients, yet large-scale, population-level analyses remain scarce.

METHODS

This study analyzed U.S. mortality trends (1999-2020) from the CDC WONDER database, assessing mortality both overall and in obese patients with acute abdominal surgical emergencies (ASE) using ICD-10 codes. Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) and annual percent changes (APCs) were calculated.

RESULTS

Obesity-related ASE AAMR rose significantly from 2.05 to 5.5 per million, with a marked increase post-2018 (APC ​= ​23.42). Mortality was higher in women but increased faster in men in the obesity group in contrast to higher ASE related mortality in males overall. Significant racial disparities were noted, with obesity related ASE mortality highest among non-Hispanic American Indians. Regionally, the South exhibited the steepest mortality increase.

CONCLUSION

Rising trends in obesity-related mortality in abdominal surgical emergencies, showing racial and regional disparities, call for targeted interventions.