Trend analysis of the burden of PCOS and related infertility in China and worldwide between 1990 and 2021.

RESEARCH QUESTION: What is the global and Chinese burden of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and infertility attributable to PCOS on the basis of age-standardized calculations from 1990 to 2021?

DESIGN

Using open data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database from 1990 to 2021, this study analysed the characteristics of PCOS and infertility attributable to PCOS in China and worldwide. Joinpoint was used to calculate the average annual percentage change (AAPC) and the corresponding 95% CI. An autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model was used to project the burden of disease from 2022 to 2036.

RESULTS

From 1990 to 2021, the AAPC of the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR), age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR) and age-standardized disability-adjusted life years rate (ASDR) of PCOS in China were 2%, 2% and 2.1%, respectively. Worldwide, the respective figures were 0.8%, 0.8% and 0.8%, respectively. The AAPC for ASPR and age-standardized years lived with disability rate (ASYR) for the global burden of infertility attributable to PCOS were 1% and 0.9%, respectively, compared with 1.9% and 2%, respectively, in China. By 2036, ASIR, ASPR and ASDR of PCOS in China are projected to increase to 71.64/100,000, 1912.27/100,000 and 16.48/100,000, respectively. Globally, these rates are projected to reach 68.64/100,000, 1934.92/100,000 and 16.91/100,000, respectively. ASPR and ASYR for infertility attributable to PCOS are predicted to continue their upward trend.

CONCLUSION

From 1990 to 2021, the burden of PCOS and infertility attributable to PCOS continued to rise in China and globally, making PCOS a major public health problem. Raising public awareness of this common disease in order to reduce complications has become a public health priority that needs attention.