Ectopic pregnancy epidemiology from 1990 to 2021: A global burden of disease (GBD) analysis of 204 countries and territories.

BACKGROUND

Ectopic pregnancy (EP) represents a leading cause of maternal mortality in early gestation and a significant contributor to future reproductive impairment. Comprehensive understanding of global EP epidemiological patterns and their temporal evolution is crucial for developing holistic strategies to promote health equity and optimize allocation of medical resources worldwide.

METHODS

Leveraging Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 data, this investigation systematically examined age-standardized rates (ASRs) of EP incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) across 204 countries and 21 regions from 1990 to 2021. Age-specific distributions of EP burden metrics were comprehensively assessed for 2021. Cross-national health inequalities were evaluated via slope index of inequality (SII) and concentration index (CI) metrics. Temporal trends were analyzed through joinpoint regression to identify significant inflection points in EP incidence ASRs across sociodemographic index (SDI)-stratified populations. Methodological rigor was maintained through complete geographical coverage, standardized age-adjustment procedures, multidimensional inequality assessment frameworks, and robust joinpoint analysis techniques, all conducted in accordance with GBD 2021 study protocols. All estimates are reported per 100,000 population with corresponding 95 % uncertainty intervals (UIs).

RESULTS

In 2021, there were 8.38 million (95 % UI: 6.65-10.42) global EP cases, with an age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) of 212.87/100,000, reflecting a 30.41 % decline since 1990. EP caused 6,442 deaths (ASMR: 0.16/100,000) and 396,856 DALYs (ASDR: 10.21/100,000), with burdens peaking in 30-34 years (incidence/prevalence) and 20-24 years (mortality/DALYs). Geographically, Western Sub-Saharan Africa had the highest ASIR (419.80/100,000) and ASMR (0.73/100,000), while High-income Asia Pacific had the lowest (ASIR: 59.73/100,000; ASMR: 0). China and India reported the highest case counts, whereas Congo, Nigeria, and Ethiopia bore the greatest mortality/DALY burdens. A negative correlation was observed between SDI and DALY rates (R = -0.64, p < 0.001), with Sub-Saharan Africa showing the steepest declines. Joinpoint regression revealed global ASR reductions, except for transient increases in 2010-2014 (annual percentage change = 0.63). The health inequality metrics (SII and CI) demonstrated that while global health inequalities improved from 1990 to 2021, the disease burden in low-SDI countries actually worsened.

CONCLUSIONS

While global EP burden has significantly improved, concerning disparities persist in mortality and DALY metrics, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Low-SDI countries now face disproportionately severe burdens. Targeted resource allocation would likely reduce health disparities, improve reproductive outcomes, and ultimately alleviate EP's global burden and associated sequelae.