Global, regional, and national burden of lower respiratory infections and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 1990-2021: a systematic analysis from the global burden of disease study 2021.

PURPOSE: This study evaluates the global burden of lower respiratory infections (LRIs) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), focusing on their combined impact across age groups and regions.

METHODS

Data from 204 countries were analyzed using spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression to estimate LRI and COPD incidence, prevalence, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Age-standardized ratios (ASR) and the Socio-Demographic Index (SDI) were used to compare disease burdens, with trends assessed via linear regression and restricted cubic spline models.

RESULTS

In 2021, COPD and LRI caused 360 million cases and 5.9 million deaths, with the highest burden in low-SDI regions. COPD remained the fourth leading cause of death, while LRI dropped to seventh.

CONCLUSION

The bidirectional link between LRI and COPD exacerbates disease progression, disproportionately affecting low-income regions and aging populations. Addressing disparities in healthcare access, improving vaccines, and strengthening public health infrastructure are critical to reducing the global burden of these diseases.