Evaluating the burden of occupational asthma among individuals aged 15 and older in India: A comprehensive study on mortality and disability-adjusted life years

Abstract

Objective

Occupational asthma has become one of the most common occupational lung diseases, and its burden in India is underestimated.

Methods

This study analyzed mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) caused by occupational asthma in India from 1990 to 2021 using data from the global burden of disease 2021. Data were categorized by sex, region, and age group, with age-standardized mortality rates (ASMR) and age-standardized DALYs rates (ASDR) as primary indicators to compare trends over time and across regions.

Results

According to Global Burden of Disease 2021 estimates, there were a total of 11,575.6 deaths in India attributed to occupational asthma (95 % uncertainty interval, 7949.1–22,361), representing a 7.5 % increase since 1990. However, ASMR and ASDR showed significant declines across all sexes compared to 1990, with reductions of 55.9 % and 54.8 %, respectively. Geographically, the highest burden of occupational asthma was observed in Uttar Pradesh, while Goa had the lowest. In terms of sex, the burden of mortality and disability was notably higher among males, particularly within the 15–64 age group. In 2021, the burden across all age groups was primarily driven by years of life lost.

Conclusions

While the overall burden of mortality due to occupational asthma continues to rise in India, ASMR and ASDR have declined. However, certain regions and demographic groups, especially Uttar Pradesh and the male population, continue to bear a disproportionate share of the burden. These findings underscore the critical need for targeted prevention and control measures for occupational asthma in India.