INTRODUCTION: Hyperglycemia is a recognized risk factor for breast cancer, yet its contribution to breast cancer mortality in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region remains underexplored. METHODS: We analyzed Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 data to evaluate breast cancer mortality attributable to hyperglycemia among women aged 55 and older in the MENA region. Trends from 1990 to 2021 were assessed using the annual average percentage change (AAPC), with statistical significance determined by P values. RESULTS: In 1990, the highest mortality rates were observed in Qatar (1.56), followed by Bahrain (1.39) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) (1.32). In contrast, the lowest rates were recorded in Yemen (0.11), Oman (0.14), and Turkey (0.16). By 2021, the UAE reported the highest mortality rate (3.74), surpassing Qatar (2.19) and Bahrain (1.98). In contrast, the lowest rates in 2021 were observed in Oman (0.27), Yemen (0.29), and Sudan (0.42). Annual average percentage change analysis revealed that Egypt experienced the fastest increase in mortality rates (AAPC 5.95; 95% CI, 5.86–6.07; P <.000001), followed by Turkey (AAPC 4.79; 95% CI, 4.62–4.97; P <.000001) and Morocco (AAPC 3.55; 95% CI, 3.53–3.57; P <.000001), whereas Kuwait exhibited the slowest rise. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS: Mortality from breast cancer attributable to hyperglycemia as a risk factor has increased markedly in the MENA region since 1990, with pronounced geographic disparities, highlighting the need for targeted prevention strategies.
Hassanien et al. (Thu,) studied this question.