Global, Regional, and National Burden of Pancreatic Cancer, 1990–2019: Results from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Abstract

Aims: Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a malignant tumor with a strong invasive nature and low survival rate. We aimed to estimate the PC burden at the global, regional, and national levels in 204 countries from 1990 to 2019. Methods: Detailed data, including the incidence, death, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), were analyzed from the Global Burden of Diseases Study 2019. Results: Globally, there were 530,297 (486,175–573,635) incident cases and 531,107 (491,948–566,537) deaths from PC in 2019. The age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) was 6.6 (6–7.1), and the age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) was 6.6 (6.1–7.1) per 100,000 person-years. PC caused 11,549,016 (10,777,405–12,338,912) DALYs, with an age-standardized rate of 139.6 (130.2–149.1) per 100,000 person-years. There were increases in estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) of ASIR (0.83; 0.78–0.87), ASMR (0.77; 0.73–0.81), and age-standardized DALYs rate (ASDR) (0.67; 0.63–0.71). The global number of incident cases increased by 168.7%, from 197,348 (188,604–203,971) to 530,297 (486,175–573,635); the number of deaths increased by 168.2% from 198,051 (189,329–204,763) to 531,107 (491,948–566,537); and total DALYs increased by 148.5% from 4,647,207 (4,465,440–4,812,129) to 11,549,016 (10,777,405–12,338,912). East Asia and China recorded the highest number of incident cases, deaths, and DALYs. The proportion of deaths was attributable to smoking (21.4%), elevated fasting glucose (9.1%), and high BMI (6%). Conclusions: Our study updated the epidemiological trends and risk factors for PC. PC remains a major hazard to the sustainability of health systems worldwide, with an increasing incidence rate and mortality from 1990 to 2019. More targeted strategies are required to prevent and treat PC.

Keywords

• pancreatic cancer
• public health
• incidence
• risk factors