Associations between chronic diseases and choking deaths among older adults in the USA: a cross-sectional study using multiple cause mortality data from 2009 to 2013.

Abstract

To examine whether the strengths of the associations between chronic diseases and overall choking differ from those of the associations between chronic diseases and only food-related choking. This cross-sectional study used nationwide multiple cause mortality files. The USA. Older adults aged 65 years or more died between 2009 and 2013. Mortality ratio (observed/expected) of number of deaths from both causes (chronic diseases and choking) and 95% CIs. We identified 76543 deaths for which the death certificates report choking (International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes W78, W79 and W80 combined) as a cause of death and only 4974 (6.5%) deaths were classified as food-related choking (ICD-10 code W79). Schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and oral cancer are four chronic diseases that had significant associations with both overall and food-related choking. Stroke, larynx cancer and mood (affective) disorders had significant associations with overall choking, but not with food-related choking. We suggest using overall choking instead of only food-related choking to better describe the associations between chronic diseases and choking.