Effects of COVID-19 on motor neuron disease mortality in the United States: a population-based cross-sectional study

BackgroundIn March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to be a pandemic, stating that those with underlying health conditions are most susceptible, including motor neuron disease (MND).ObjectiveTo examine the effect the COVID-19 pandemic had on deaths from MND in the United States.MethodsDeath certificate data for all MND deaths aged 20 years and older were analyzed from 2017 to 2019 (pre-COVID), then expanded to include 2020 and 2021 (COVID) deaths to evaluate if COVID-19 impacted MND deaths.ResultsThe average number of MND deaths documented during the COVID-19 years was 8009, up from 7485 MND deaths pre-COVID. The age-adjusted mortality rate among the non-Hispanic population increased during COVID to 2.78 per 100,000 persons (95% CI = 2.73-2.82) from 1.81 (95% CI = 1.78-1.84). The Hispanic population also saw an increase in mortality rate during COVID (1.61, 95% CI = 1.51-1.71) compared with pre-COVID (1.10, 95% CI = 1.03-1.17). Decedent's home as a place of death also saw a mortality rate increase during COVID (1.51, 95% CI = 1.48-1.54) compared with pre-COVID (1.30, 95% CI = 1.27-1.32). For the Hispanic population, the rate peaked at 80-84 years pre-COVID, but for the COVID years, the rate peaked earlier, at 75-79 years.ConclusionThe total number of MND deaths was greater during COVID than in the preceding years. The analysis suggests there might have been a consequence of circumstances surrounding the global pandemic and the associated restrictions.