Global burden of cardiovascular disease attributable to metabolic risk factors, 1990-2019: an analysis of observational data from a 2019 Global Burden of Disease study

Objectives An up-to-date, detailed global analysis of the current status of the metabolic-attributed cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden has not been reported. Therefore, we investigated the global burden of metabolic-attributed CVD and its association with socioeconomic development status over the past 30 years. Methods Data on the burden of metabolic-attributed CVD were taken from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study. Metabolic risk factors of CVD included high fasting plasma glucose, high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), high systolic blood pressure (SBP), high body mass index (BMI) and kidney dysfunction. Numbers and age-standardised rates (ASR) of disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) and deaths were extracted and stratified by sex, age, Socio-demographic Index (SDI) level, country and region. Results The ASR of metabolic-attributed CVD DALYs and deaths decreased by 28.0% (95% UI 23.8% to 32.5%) and 30.4% (95% UI 26.6% to 34.5%), respectively, from 1990 to 2019. The highest burden of metabolic-attributed total CVD and intracerebral haemorrhage was mainly in low SDI locations, while the highest burden of ischaemic heart disease and IS was mainly in high SDI locations. The burden of DALYs and deaths in CVD was higher in men than women. In addition, the number and ASR of DALYs and deaths were highest in those over 80 years old. Conclusion Metabolic-attributed CVD threatens public health, especially in low-SDI locations and among the elderly. Low SDI location should strengthen the control of metabolic factors such as high SBP, high BMI, and high LDL-c and increase the knowledge of metabolic risk factors for CVD. Countries and regions should enhance screening and prevention of metabolic risk factors of CVD in the elderly. Policy-makers should use 2019 GBD data to guide cost-effective interventions and resource allocation.

Automated summary

This study investigated the global burden of metabolic-attributed cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its association with socioeconomic development status over the past 30 years. The study found that the overall burden of metabolic-attributed CVD has decreased, but it still poses a threat in low-SDI locations and among the elderly. Therefore, low-SDI locations should strengthen the control of metabolic factors, and countries and regions should enhance screening and prevention of metabolic risk factors in the elderly.