Why the study?
The global, regional, and national burden, temporal trends, disparities, and future projections of atrial fibrillation among women of childbearing age remained to be comprehensively analyzed.
The global burden of atrial fibrillation among women of childbearing age has increased significantly from 1990 to 2021, with higher burden in high Socio-Demographic Index areas and older age groups.
Increasing AF burden in WCBA signals need for monitoring; leaves open targeted prevention strategies in low-SDI regions.
This study aimed to analyze the global, regional, and national burden of atrial fibrillation (AF) in women of childbearing age (WCBA) from 1990 to 2021, to identify trends and disparities and to project the future burden of AF in population. Data from the GBD 2021 were used to estimate the burden of AF in WCBA. Age-standardized rates (ASRs) of incidence, prevalence, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and mortality rate were calculated from 1990 to 2021. Joinpoint regression and Bayesian age-period-cohort analysis were applied to assess temporal trends, regional disparities, and to project future AF burden. From 1990 to 2021, the global number of AF cases in WCBA increased by 71,092 thousand, with increasing trends in incidence [estimated annual percentage change (EAPC = 0.99)], prevalence (EAPC = 1.23), DALYs (EAPC = 1.04) and mortality (EAPC = 0.69). The burden of AF was higher in high Socio-Demographic Index (SDI) areas than in low SDI areas, particularly in terms of ASPR per 100,000 (44.48 > 25.35), highlighting health inequalities. The burden of AF is particularly high in women over 40 years of age, peaking at 45–49 years of age, due to the accumulation of risk factors such as hypertension and body mass index. Projections suggest that the burden of AF will continue to increase globally, especially in low and medium SDI countries. The burden of AF in WCBA is increasing globally, with significant regional disparities. Effective public health interventions targeting key risk factors of hypertension and BMI. International cooperation and comprehensive health strategies are essential to reduce health inequities and improve AF prevention and management among WCBA. What is already known on this topic The trend and the burden of AF in global has been known. What this study adds The incidence, prevalence, DALYs, and mortality of AF in WCBA showed an increasing trend globally. Projections indicate a continued rise in AF burden globally, especially in low- middle SDI countries. How this study might affect research, practice or policy International collaboration and comprehensive health strategies play a vital role in reducing health disparities and enhancing the prevention and management of AF among women of childbearing age.
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Chen et al. (2025) studied this question.
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