Global Burden of Non-Neoplastic Gynecological Diseases in Women: A 32-Year Analysis with Projections to 2100.

Abstract

Introduction: Non-neoplastic gynecological diseases substantially affect women's health and quality of life worldwide, yet comprehensive analyses of their burden remain limited.

Methods: Using data from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 study, the prevalence, incidence and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of seven gynecological conditions across 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2021 were estimated. Temporal trends were assessed using joinpoint regression, and decomposition analysis quantified contributions of population growth, aging, and epidemiological changes. Bayesian age-period-cohort models projected future trends to 2100.

Results: The global age-standardized prevalence declined slightly from 38.5% in 1990 to 37.8% in 2021 (AAPC: -0.058), but the absolute number of cases rose by 55.3% to 1.53 billion. Decomposition analysis attributed this increase mainly to population growth (92.0%) and aging (14.2%), partially offset by epidemiological improvements (-6.2%). Premenstrual syndrome was the most prevalent condition (24.7%), while female infertility and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) showed the fastest growth (AAPC: 0.697 and 0.796). Disease burden varied widely: DALYs were highest in North Africa and the Middle East (1112.1 per 100,000) and lowest in high-income Asia Pacific (456.2 per 100,000). Women aged 20-49 years accounted for 68% of DALYs. By 2100, prevalent cases are projected to rise by 9.5%, with infertility and PCOS increasing by 61.6% and 85.2%, respectively.

Conclusions: Non-neoplastic gynecological diseases pose major public health challenges in low-resource settings, necessitating targeted interventions for rising infertility and PCOS. Population growth served as the primary driver of the increased burden of gynecological diseases.