Trends in non-Hodgkin lymphoma mortality: global, regional, and national insights from 1990 to 2021

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) is a group of hematological cancers with significant global mortality. Despite advances in treatment, mortality disparities persist across age, sex, region, and socioeconomic status, underscoring the need for a deeper understanding of global trends. Data from the Global Burden of Disease Study covering 204 countries between 1990 and 2021 were analyzed. The data were stratified by sex, age, and Socio-Demographic Index (SDI). Trends were assessed using the Estimated Annual Percentage Change (EAPC), and correlations with SDI were evaluated. From 1990 to 2021, global NHL deaths increased from 146,657 to 267,061, and death rates rose from 2.75 to 3.38 per 100,000 (EAPC: 0.51). Males and individuals aged 75 and older had higher mortality rates. High-SDI regions, including High-income North America (8.49 per 100,000) and High-income Asia Pacific (9.60 per 100,000), had the highest rates. Middle-SDI regions showed the most significant increases, while low-SDI regions experienced declines. Japan had a sharp rise in mortality (EAPC: 3.03), while Ethiopia had a decline (EAPC: −2.09). NHL mortality increased globally from 1990 to 2021, with higher burdens in males and older adults. The fastest increases were observed in middle-SDI regions, reflecting healthcare disparities.