Time trends in disability-adjusted life years for cataracts attributable to indoor air pollution across 17 low- and middle-income countries

Indoor air pollution (IAP) is a risk factor leading to cataracts. The disease burden of cataracts due to IAP is currently greater in low- and middle-income countries, an in-depth analysis is necessary to track the current time trend of cataracts caused by IAP in low- and middle-income countries. Our data from the global burden of disease 2021 study. In our study, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and DALYs rate were used to assess the disease burden of cataracts due to IAP across 17 low- and middle-income countries. The contribution of IAP exposure to the associated burden of cataracts was quantified by using population attribution fractions. Additionally, the estimated annual percentage change was calculated to quantify the long-term trend in the burden of cataracts due to IAP from 1990 to 2021. An age-period-cohort model was used to estimate the effects of age, period, and cohort on time trend of disease burden. In 2021, age-standardized DALY rates (ASDR) values varied widely across the 17 countries. Pakistan had the highest ASDR 122.5 (-35.3 to 247.4). ASDR declined in all 17 countries. For all countries, the age effect increases rapidly after about age 55. South Africa, Brazil, and Mexico have made great progress in the period and cohort effects. The situation of burden for IAP-related cataracts varies across countries, and it is necessary to set targeted public health strategies and interventions.