Epidemiological Trends of Pressure Injuries at the Global, Regional, and National Levels: A Trend Analysis Study from 1990 to 2021.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate global, regional, and national trends in the prevalence and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of pressure injuries (PIs) from 1990 to 2021 and project future trends to 2035, based on data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study. Approach: This study used GBD 2021 data to analyze PIs prevalence and DALYs by age, sex, and Sociodemographic Index (SDI) region. The Bayesian age-period-cohort model was employed for temporal trend analysis and future projections. Results: From 1990 to 2021, the global prevalence slightly decreased from 8.246 to 7.920 per 100,000 (estimated annual percentage change -0.023%), whereas DALYs decreased by 9.7%. High-SDI regions presented significant DALY reductions (-39.3%), whereas middle- and low-middle-SDI regions presented increased prevalence rates (20.5% and 28.9%, respectively). The prevalence was highest in the ageing population, peaking in the 95+ year age group. Projections estimate that there will be 720,660 global cases by 2035, with the greatest burden expected among older adults in developing regions. Innovation: This study provides a comprehensive longitudinal analysis of PIs, revealing global disparities and emphasizing demographic-specific risks, especially in ageing populations and low-SDI regions. Bayesian modeling offered robust future projections. Conclusion: Despite modest improvements globally, significant disparities in the prevalence of PIs persist, particularly in developing regions and among older adults. Targeted interventions, preventive strategies, and health care policies are critical for addressing these challenges and mitigating future disease burdens.