Global, regional, and national burden of urolithiasis among children and adolescents, 1990-2021, with forecasts to 2050: a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021.

PURPOSE: Urolithiasis exhibits a high recurrence rate and aggressive disease progression in youths. Current study aims to analyze the global, regional, and national burdens and trends of urolithiasis among children and adolescents based on the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 database.

METHODS

We extracted four major indicators that related to urolithiasis among children and adolescents (aged 0-19 years) from GBD between 1990 and 2021, including incidence, prevalence, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and death. The changing trends in the burden of urolithiasis were assessed using the Estimated Annual Percentage Change (EAPC). Future changes in the disease burden through 2050 were forecasted.

RESULTS

Global prevalence and incidence rates of urolithiasis among children and adolescents under 20 years had increased with EAPC of 0.06 (95% CI: 0.01 to 0.11) and 0.08 (95% CI: 0.03 to 0.12), while mortality and DALYs rates had decreased with EAPC of -2.75 (95% CI: -2.89 to -2.62) and - 1.66 (95% CI: -1.75 to -1.56). In 2021, the highest absolute cases of incidence, prevalence, and DALYs were observed in the low-middle socio-demographic index (SDI) regions. Additionally, the projections revealed an ongoing upward trajectory in the incidence and prevalence.

CONCLUSION

From 1990 to 2021, the global burden of urolithiasis among children and adolescents under 20 years had significantly increased, particularly in the low-middle SDI regions. This trend is projected to continue, further exacerbating the disease burden. These findings highlight the critical need for personalized interventions and lifestyle guidance on these patients.