Burden and trends of thyroid cancer among women of childbearing age, 1990–2021: A serial cross-sectional analysis

Thyroid cancer, particularly prevalent among women of childbearing age (WCBA), presents a growing global public health concern. This study examines the global, regional, and national burden of WCBA thyroid cancer from 1990 to 2021, with an emphasis on socioeconomic factors, including high body mass index. Data were drawn from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2021. We analyzed incidence, prevalence, disability-adjusted life years, and mortality rates for WCBA thyroid cancer, focusing on age-standardized rates. Temporal trends were quantified using the average annual percentage change. Inequalities were assessed using the concentration index; locally estimated scatterplot smoothing modeled age-standardized rate-sociodemographic index (SDI) relationships; decomposition identified contributions of population growth, aging, and epidemiologic change. From 1990 to 2021, the global incidence of WCBA thyroid cancer increased with an average annual percent change (AAPC) of 1.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.32-1.48), while prevalence rose at an AAPC of 1.44% (95% CI: 1.37-1.52). Conversely, the age-standardized mortality rate declined annually by 0.28% (95% CI: -0.4 to -0.16), and disability-adjusted life years showed no significant change (AAPC = -0.01, 95% CI: -0.18 to 0.17). The highest increase in disease burden was observed in low and low-middle SDI regions, with mortality rates linked to high body mass index rising by 2.19% annually. In contrast, high-SDI regions experienced a decrease in burden, with annual reductions in mortality rates ranging from 1.13% to 0.34%. Rising WCBA thyroid cancer incidence and prevalence, particularly in low SDI regions, highlight the urgent need for targeted prevention and health management strategies.