The Global, Regional, and National Burden of Pancreatitis in 204 Countries and Territories, 1990-2021: A Systematic Analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background Pancreatitis, an inflammatory condition of the pancreas, poses a significant global health burden. This study provides up-to-date global, regional, and national estimates of pancreatitis burdens from 1990 to 2021, focusing on disparities and trends across regions, age groups, and sexes. Methods Data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 study were analyzed to assess the incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) associated with pancreatitis. Trends over the 32-year period were examined across demographics and geographic regions. Average annual percentage changes (AAPC) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Results In 2021, the age-standardized rates (95% uncertainty interval) per 100,000 population for pancreatitis were: prevalence 69.0 (51.3, 91.3), incidence 32.8 (28.9, 37.4), deaths 1.5 (1.3, 1.7), and DALYs 48.4 (43.1, 55.3). Eastern Europe had the highest burden, led by the Russian Federation. From 1990 to 2021, global pancreatitis burden decreased with AAPCs (95% CI) of - 1.0% (- 1.1%, - 1.0%) for prevalence, - 0.4% (- 0.5%, - 0.4%) for incidence, - 0.5% (- 0.6%, - 0.3%) for deaths, and - 0.5% (- 0.6%, - 0.4%) for DALYs. Most regions showed declines, except Eastern Europe and parts of Africa. The elderly, particularly those aged 65 and older, faced the highest burden. An upward incidence trend was noted in those aged 15 to 25. Men exhibited higher burden rates, with the peak burden occurring at younger ages compared to women. High alcohol use contributed to 15.2% of deaths and 17.0% of DALYs related to pancreatitis. Conclusions This study offers a comprehensive assessment of the global burden of pancreatitis from 1990 to 2021. Despite an overall decline, significant regional and demographic disparities persist, with Eastern Europe remaining disproportionately affected. The high burden among the elderly and rising incidence among the young highlight the need for targeted prevention, early detection, and management strategies.