Global landscape of mortality and risk factors for aortic aneurysm in adults aged 55 years and older: insights from the global burden of disease study 2021

The incidence and mortality rates of aortic aneurysm have been rising globally, particularly among the elderly. The aim of this study is to investigate the global patterns, temporal trends, risk factors, and future burden of aortic aneurysm in the elderly. This study analyzed trends in the burden of aortic aneurysm on the elderly using the 2021 Global Burden of Disease data. Key metrics include age-standardized death rate (ASDR), age-standardized disability-adjusted life years rate (ASDALYR), annual average percent change (AAPC), attributable risk factor proportions, slope index, and concentration index. Projected estimates for new deaths in 2050 were based on population forecasts. In 2021, there were an estimated 138,450 deaths from aortic aneurysm (including abdominal or thoracic aorta) among individuals aged 55 and older globally, with an ASDR of 9.93 per 100,000. Mortality rates vary significantly by region, with the highest rates in High-income Asia Pacific (23.71) and Tropical Latin America (20.74). Countries with high socio-demographic index (SDI) levels have a mortality rate of 15.37, 1.94 times higher than that of low SDI countries. Despite a decrease in ASDR over the past 30 years, deaths have increased by 73.92%. Projections indicate that by 2050, deaths from age-related aortic aneurysm will rise to 322,334, with the fastest growth in Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa. In conclusion, this study reveals that the ASDR and ASDALYR of aortic aneurysm on the elderly is on a declining trend globally. However, necessitating strategic allocation of healthcare resources to mitigate the compounding challenges of demographic aging, particularly within these resource-constrained settings.