Incidence, prevalence, deaths, and DALYs of diseases of the female reproductive system from 1990 to 2021 across 204 countries: data, with critical re-analysis, from the global burden of disease study.

BACKGROUND

Female reproductive system diseases severely threaten women's health. This study aims to evaluate the disease burden caused by female reproductive system diseases from 1990 to 2021.

METHODS

We extracted female reproductive system disorder data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. First, we assessed the global and subtype-specific incidence, prevalence, deaths, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in 2021, reported as absolute numbers and age-standardized rates (ASIR, ASPR, ASDR, and AS-DALYs). Temporal trends from 1990 to 2021 were analyzed using linear regression models, with estimated annual percentage change quantifying burden trajectories. Finally, Bayesian hierarchical models were applied to project future disease burden.

RESULTS

In 2021, global gynecological disease burdens showed distinct patterns. Cervical cancer: 667 426 incident cases (ASIR 7.79) and 296 667 deaths (ASDR 3.44); ovarian cancer: 298 876 cases (ASIR 3.48) with 185 609 deaths (ASDR 2.16); uterine cancer: 473 614 cases (ASIR 5.41) resulting in 97 672 deaths (ASDR 1.14); uterine fibroids: prevalence dominated with 10.1 million cases (ASIR 124.22) but minimal mortality (2078 deaths; ASDR 0.02); female infertility: affected 110.1 million women with 601 134 DALYs. Temporal analysis (1990-2021) revealed rising absolute case numbers alongside stable/declining ASRs for cervical and ovarian cancers. Disease burden peaked in middle-aged and older populations. Different diseases present distinct patterns of geographical distribution. Projections through 2045 forecast continued case count increases for malignancies and fibroids, with ASRs remaining stable for cervical cancer and infertility.

CONCLUSION

This study offers a comprehensive and updated evaluation of the global burden of female reproductive system diseases. The findings underscore the pressing need for targeted interventions and policies to address these conditions.