The Epidemiology and Socioeconomic Associates of Pulmonary Aspiration and Foreign Body in the Airway in the Middle East and North Africa Region From 1990 to 2021: A Descriptive Epidemiological Study

Background and Aims Pulmonary aspiration and foreign body in the airway (PAFBA) is one of the medical emergencies, which can mostly affect children and geriatrics. Reporting the epidemiology of this condition is necessary to plan preventive and controlling measures. Our objective was to investigate the burden of PAFBA in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and its 21 countries from 1990 to 2021, with age and sex patterns. Moreover, the relationship with the socio‐demographic index (SDI) and the PAFBA burden was evaluated. Methods We extracted incidence, prevalence, disability‐adjusted life years (DALYs), and death counts and rates of PAFBA for MENA and countries from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 study. The association with SDI was investigated using the smoothing spline model. The raw frequencies and age‐standardized rates were represented with 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs). Results In 2021, age‐standardized PAFBA rates per 100,000 in the MENA region were as follows: incidence at 15.0 (11.8, 19.1), prevalence at 23.8 (19.7, 28.6), DALYs at 38.5 (23.0, 47.5), and mortality at 0.6 (0.4, 0.8), all showing declines since 1990. Lebanon and Afghanistan reported the highest age‐standardized incidence and prevalence rates, while Afghanistan and Sudan had the highest DALY and mortality rates. The under‐five age group showed the greatest burden in incidence, DALYs, and deaths, with males more affected than females. A negative association with SDI was observed. Conclusions Despite a decline in PAFBA burden over the past 32 years in the MENA region, mortality rates and DALYs remain high. Prioritizing public awareness programs and improving diagnostic and treatment methods are essential to further reduce this burden.