BURDEN OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES IN SOUTH ASIAN REGION FROM 1990 TO 2019: FINDINGS FROM THE GLOBAL BURDEN OF DISEASE STUDY

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the estimates of burden of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in South Asian (SA) region from 1990 to 2019 using the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study.

Methodology: Data for this ecological study was extracted from the Global Health Data Exchange query tool for 30 years from 1990 to 2019. Dataset consisted of prevalence, deaths, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) due to CVD summarized as estimated number of cases and rate per 100 thousand individuals for Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan and South Asian region.

Results: An increasing trend has been noticed in overall prevalence rate and death rate of CVD in the SA region in the past 30-years from 1990 to 2019. A relative increase of 49.6% was noted in the prevalence rate of CVD per 100,000 population with 3304.2 and 4944.1 cases per 100,000 in the year 1990 and 2019, respectively. Similarly, a relative increase of 30.3% was noted in mortality rate due to CVD with 139.8 and 182.1 deaths per 100,000 in the year 1990 and 2019, respectively. Ischemic heart disease (IHD) remained the highest contributor with 56.51% (1857.9×1000 cases) share to the regional mortalities followed by stroke with 29.77% (978.9×1000 cases).

Conclusion: SA region is experiencing and increasing trend in prevalence, deaths, and DALYs due to CVD. IHD and stroke remained the main contributors to the regional burden of CVD followed by stroke. Targeted preventive measures are required involving all the stakeholders from community to policymakers.