Global Trends and Burden of Non-Neoplastic Gynecologic Diseases Among Women of Childbearing Age, 1990–2021: a GBD 2021 Analysis

Zhaochen Sun,1,2,* Hao Liu,1,2,* Nan Wang,3,* Ping Sun,2 Liangwei Wu,4 Erxu Xue,5 Yan Chen,1,2 Jianhui Zhao,6 Kaihong Zeng,2 Yuping Liu,2 Zhengwei Wan,2 Yunli Ye1 1School of Public Health, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Health Management Center & Institute of Health Management, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China; 3School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Bioinformatics, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 5Nursing Department, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China; 6Department of School of Public Health, and Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Zhengwei Wan, Department of Health Management Center & Institute of Health Management, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, No. 32 West Second Section, First Ring Road, Qingyang Dist, Chengdu, 610072, People’s Republic of China, Email [email protected] Yunli Ye, School of Public Health, Southwest Medical University, No. 1, Section 1, Xianglin Road, Longmatan District, Luzhou, 646000, People’s Republic of China, Email [email protected]: Non-neoplastic gynecological diseases substantially impact women of childbearing age (WCBA), contributing to global burden. Despite growing awareness, disparities in healthcare access remain widespread across regions and socioeconomic groups.Materials and Methods: Utilizing data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021, the study assess the prevalence and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of 7 non-neoplastic gynecological diseases in WCBA across 231 countries and regions from 1990 to 2021. Age-standardised rates (ASRs) and estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) were used to assess temporal trends. Additionally, the socio-demographic index (SDI) was explored for its association with disease burden.Results: From 1990 to 2021, global age-standardised prevalence and DALY rates of the non-neoplastic gynecological diseases remained relatively stable (EAPC: 0.00%, − 0.20%). In contrast, the absolute number of prevalent cases increased markedly, largely reflecting population growth and changes in age structure. Female infertility and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) demonstrated increasing trends in both prevalence (EAPC: 0.69%, 0.74%) and DALYs (EAPC: 0.71%, 0.72%). In 2021, premenstrual syndrome (PMS) showed the highest prevalence (889.97 per 100,000) and DALY rate (74.27 per 100,000). North Africa and Middle East showed the highest ASR of prevalence (ASPR, 70,265.65) and DALYs (ASDR, 1,812.41) globally. Age-specific analyses indicated that prevalence and DALYs peaked among women aged 35– 44 years. In addition, higher SDI correlated with lower ASPR and ASDR in overall non-neoplastic gynecological diseases, while PCOS exhibited upward trends.Conclusion: The global burden of non-neoplastic gynecological diseases among WCBA remains substantial, with marked heterogeneity across regions and conditions. These findings underscore the importance of strengthened disease surveillance, improved and equitable access to reproductive health services, and greater integration of mental health support in women’s health strategies.Keywords: non-neoplastic gynecological diseases, global burden of disease study, prevalence, disability-adjusted life years, women of childbearing age