What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Observational. Population: Lower extremity peripheral arterial disease. Primary outcome: Prevalence, deaths, and DALYs.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to analyze the global burden and risk factors for LEPAD among postmenopausal women and project future trends.

May 7, 2026Open Access

Global Burden, Attributable Risk Factors, and Future Projections of Lower Extremity Peripheral Arterial Disease Among Postmenopausal Women

Key Result

Global prevalent cases of lower extremity peripheral arterial disease among postmenopausal women increased by 99.84% from 1990 to 2021, reaching 66,392,811 cases.

Key Points

This study aims to analyze the global burden and risk factors for LEPAD among postmenopausal women and project future trends.
Data obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021, stratified by age, sex, and region
Decomposition analysis to quantify contributions of population growth and aging
Bayesian age-period-cohort model to project future trends by 2035
66,392,811 prevalent cases of LEPAD among postmenopausal women in 2021
Attributable risk factors show that high fasting plasma glucose is the leading factor
Projections indicate continued increase in the global burden by 2035

Study Design

Type

Observational

Structured PICO

Population

Postmenopausal women (defined as age ≥ 55 years) globally with lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (LEPAD, defined as ABI ≤ 0.90). In 2021, there were 66,392,811 prevalent cases.

Outcome

Prevalence, deaths, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of LEPAD, including age-standardized rates (ASPR, ASMR, ASDR)

The absolute global burden of lower extremity peripheral arterial disease among postmenopausal women has significantly increased from 1990 to 2021, driven by population growth and aging, highlighting the need for targeted prevention strategies.

Limitations

GBD data derived from compiled national reports may have accuracy and completeness issues
Unreliable epidemiological data in some low-income countries may lead to underreporting or misclassification
Mathematical modeling required for countries with poor-quality data introduces possible estimation biases

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the global burden and attributable risk factors for lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (LEPAD) among postmenopausal women, and project future trends. Methods: All data were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021, stratified by age, sex, and region to evaluate disparities. We performed decomposition analysis to quantify the contributions of population growth, aging, and epidemiological changes, and comparative risk assessment to evaluate attributable risk factors. The Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) model was applied to project future trends by 2035. Results: In 2021, there were 66,392,811 prevalent cases, 33,854 deaths, and 777,299 DALYs of LEPAD among postmenopausal women globally. Due to population growth and aging, these figures increased by 99.84%, 72.93%, and 73.06%, respectively, compared to 1990. High fasting plasma glucose was the leading attributable risk factor. Projections indicate a continued increase in the global burden by 2035. Conclusion: Our findings reveal a substantial and persistently increasing burden of LEPAD among postmenopausal women globally. Targeted strategies are urgently needed to ensure healthier aging among this vulnerable population. Keywords: lower extremity peripheral arterial disease, postmenopausal women, global burden, risk factors, future trends

Bookmark

View Full Paper