Burden of Urological Cancers in the Labour Force from 1990 to 2021 and Projections to 2050.

Abstract

Background: Urological cancers represent an increasing public health concern in the labour force, mainly including prostate cancer (PCA), kidney cancer (KCA), testicular cancer (TCA), and bladder cancer (BLCA). Limited data exist on their occurrence, deaths, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). The objective of this study was to analyse three-decade trends in these cancers globally and forecast future patterns.

Methods: The study used Global Burden of Disease 2021 data from 1990 to 2021 to evaluate urological cancer stats, including prevalence, incidence, mortality, and DALYs. For people aged 15-64 years, it was then manually age-standardized once. Herein, we employed a range of analytical techniques, including decomposition analysis, a Bayesian Age-Period-Cohort model, a Concentration index and slope index, and frontier analysis, to examine the trends in 204 countries and regions. Furthermore, the relationship between the Socio-Demographic Index (SDI) and the burden of disease is addressed.

Results: Over the past 30 years, PCA, TCA, and KCA rates have risen among the global labour force population. North America, North Asia, and Europe have high incidence and mortality rates. TCA mortality and BLCA and TCA prevalence are expected to continue rising globally until 2050. Urological cancer impacts vary by region and development with more burden in areas with a higher SDI.

Conclusions: Urological cancers represent a substantial disease burden on labour force populations, emphasizing the imperative for targeted interventions and healthcare resources for affected populations. It is therefore crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of the global and regional epidemiological trends, as well as the findings of health economics studies.