title: Coccidioidomycosis-Associated Deaths in California, 2000-2013.
abstract: The number of cases of coccidioidomycosis and associated hospitalizations increased in California during 2000-2013. During that period, a total of 1,098 death records listed coccidioidomycosis as a cause, averaging 78 deaths annually (range: 43-108). The death rate peaked in 2006 and was significantly higher among males than among females, among African American patients than among white patients, and among residents of the coccidioidomycosis-endemic region of California than among residents of the less endemic regions (p<0.001). A higher death rate was associated with increasing age and was highest (8.8 per 1 million population) among adults aged ≥75 years. Of coccidioidomycosis-associated deaths, 31.9% had a contributing cause of death of severe/disseminated disease, 31.8% of unspecified -coccidioidomycosis, and 28.3% of pulmonary unspecified coccidioidomycosis, per International Classification of Diseases codes. Diabetes was a contributing cause in 19.3% of deaths, and other immunocompromising conditions were a contributing cause in 15.9% of deaths. Populations at higher risk for coccidioidomycosis--associated deaths are similar to those at higher risk for coccidioidomycosis-associated hospitalizations and infection. Awareness for coccidioidomycosis among these groups and their providers is important for proper diagnosis and care.
authors.affiliation: California Department of Public Health, Infectious Diseases Branch, Richmond, CA.
authors.forename: Gail L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Sondermeyer
authors.affiliation: California Department of Public Health, Infectious Diseases Branch, Richmond, CA.
authors.forename: Lauren A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: California Department of Public Health, Infectious Diseases Branch, Richmond, CA.
authors.forename: Debra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gilliss
authors.affiliation: California Department of Public Health, Infectious Diseases Branch, Richmond, CA.
authors.forename: Duc J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Vugia
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D003047:Coccidioidomycosis / Q000401:mortality*; D003644:Death Certificates; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged