Global Burden of Diseases Associated With Iron Deficiency: GBD 2021.

BACKGROUND

Iron deficiency is a major global public health concern associated with various adverse outcomes.

METHODS

This study utilized the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 (GBD 2021) to analyze the contemporary burden of iron deficiency-associated diseases. We conducted an epidemiological analysis using Bayesian age-period-cohort methods for forecasting, decomposition analysis to assess the impact of aging, population growth, and epidemiological shifts, and slope/concentration indices to assess health inequalities.

RESULTS

Between 1990 and 2021, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) due to iron deficiency increased (2021: 34,519,623, 95% uncertainty interval [UI]: 23,607,706.06-48,762,323.14), despite a decline in age-standardized rates (ASR) (451.58 per 100,000; 95% UI: 308.48-639.42) with an estimated annual percentage change of -0.87 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.91 to -0.83). The burden was highest in low socio-demographic index regions, with 13,893,312.7 DALYs (95% UI: 9,567,547.98-19,440,905.71), an ASR of 735.34 per 100,000 (95% UI: 506.01-1027.57), and an annual percentage change (EAPC) of -1.36 (95% CI: -1.41 to -1.32). Deaths totaled 18,628.31 (95% UI: 9082.46-27,243.01), with a mortality rate of 1.77 per 100,000 (95% UI: 0.86-2.60), primarily from maternal health disorders and dietary iron deficiency. Population growth and epidemiological shifts were key contributors to the disease burden.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings highlight the persistent global burden of iron deficiency and the need for targeted interventions, particularly in low socio-demographic index regions.